Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin

By Chieri Uegaki and Qin Leng

Hana has signed up to play the violin at the talent show, even though she’s only had three lessons. Her brothers predict disaster. But Hana practices and practices, inspired by her grandfather, or Ojiichan, who played the violin every day when she visited him in Japan. As Hana takes the stage, doubt is all she can hear, until she recalls her grandfather’s words of encouragement, and shows the audience how beautiful music can take many forms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kids Can Press
• Release date: Aug 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781771382694

Book preview

Reviews for Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin

[6boysrus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book about perseverance, anxiety, sharing your talents (no matter how small) and tackling stage anxiety! Hana, shows tremendous courage by choosing to be brave and Ignore the negative comments from her brothers. She stays positive and remains happy and wants to keep learning and improving! We all have different strengths and she just shines with her imagination on the violin!

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Inspired by her grandfather, a professional violinist, Hana sings up to perform at the school talent even though she's had only a few lessons. A wonderful story that will especially resonate with readers who suffered stage fright.

[redhead.with.book · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a delightful story! Little Hana, with knobby knees and bangs (you gotta love her!) adores her grandfather Ojiichan, who is an accomplished violinist. Hana wants to play the violin like her grandfather AND enter a talent contest.

The book begins with her memories of her visit to her grandfather in Japan. He lives in a traditional Japanese home with shoji screens and tatami mats. Hana was mesmerized by the sounds of nature that her grandfather could reproduce on his violin such as "the sound of raindrops on an oil-paper umbrella".

We wonder, how can Hana enter a talent contest with so little time to practice playing?

I love the illustrations in this book. I've been to Japan on several occasions and they brought back wonderful memories. The image of Hana waking up in her grandfather's traditional house as well as the picture of her peering into the water puddle and holding a red oil-paper umbrell were two of my favourite images. The two page wide illustration of Hana standing on the stage and trying to overcome her stage fright had my heart pounding for her.

This story teaches perseversence and courage. The loving encouragement from her parents encouraged her to persevere with her goal to learn the violin.

I would recommend this book to all my friends with children.

[cynalibo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book uses music to show how growth mindset can help kids do things that others think that they can not. It also challenges what we think the correct way of performing songs and looks like.

[zzshupinga · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

ARC provided by NetGalleyThe school has a talent show coming up and Hana wants to play the violin at it....even though right now when she plays she sends dogs (and others) running from the music. Hana’s only had three lessons, but her grandfather or Ojiichan, is a world class violinist and she heard him play every day! And although she has fears and doubts, she recalls her grandfather’s words of wisdom and encouragements...to show the audience that beautiful music can take many, many forms.Kids Can Press has quickly become one of my favorite publishers of picture books. Full of vibrant illustrations and quirky, but beautiful stories, like this one. In this book author Chieri Uegaki, tells us the beautiful and powerful story of a little girl named Hana who proves that anything is possible, even when others tell you it isn’t. Hana chooses to listen to the voice of encouragement in her Ojiichan to create music that is beautiful and memorable, in an entirely unexpected way. The watercolor illustrations are spot on perfect, capturing the youthful feel of Hana and how easily she moves and where and how she chooses to imagine that she is practicing. They really help make the story come to life.I highly, highly recommend this book. Not just for the young, but for all ages as its a great reminder, particularly to older stubborn folks (and parents), that even the impossible can come true with dedication, courage, and some encouragement. I give the book 5 out of 5 stars.

[robinsonstef · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great book with an ending that surprised me a little bit. A story that can be used to spotlight figurative language and determination.