Calling the Wind

A Story of Healing and Hope

Illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi
$4.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
On sale Oct 04, 2022 | 9780593426425
Age 4-8 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD320L | Fountas & Pinnell T
Sales rights: World
Inspired by the Wind Telephone in Japan, this poignant story explores the stages of grief, the healing power of hope, and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us all. From the acclaimed author of The Invisible Boy and the award-winning illustrator of One.

In a small village in Japan, a family mourns the loss of their loved one. Each family member grieves in their own way, but it is not until they discover an old-fashioned telephone booth on a windswept hill that they begin to heal. Through the telephone, they are able to express feelings long bottled up--speaking directly to their loved one and also to each other. Slowly but surely, the pain subsides, and hope blossoms anew.

Inspired by Itaru Sasaki's Wind Telephone, which brought healing to the people of Japan in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami this story explores grief and loss, and how we move forward by finding meaningful ways to connect with the family and friends we've lost, as well as those who are still with us.

"Truly beautiful and poignant. This book is for anyone who's ever experienced loss or grief, which is to say: all of us." —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan
"A beautifully written, quietly poignant depiction of one family’s journey through loss." —Kirkus Reviews

"A stunning and heartfelt book." —The Children's Book Review

"This book is for anyone who's ever experienced loss or grief, which is to say: all of us. Truly beautiful and poignant." —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan

About

Inspired by the Wind Telephone in Japan, this poignant story explores the stages of grief, the healing power of hope, and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us all. From the acclaimed author of The Invisible Boy and the award-winning illustrator of One.

In a small village in Japan, a family mourns the loss of their loved one. Each family member grieves in their own way, but it is not until they discover an old-fashioned telephone booth on a windswept hill that they begin to heal. Through the telephone, they are able to express feelings long bottled up--speaking directly to their loved one and also to each other. Slowly but surely, the pain subsides, and hope blossoms anew.

Inspired by Itaru Sasaki's Wind Telephone, which brought healing to the people of Japan in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami this story explores grief and loss, and how we move forward by finding meaningful ways to connect with the family and friends we've lost, as well as those who are still with us.

"Truly beautiful and poignant. This book is for anyone who's ever experienced loss or grief, which is to say: all of us." —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan

Praise

"A beautifully written, quietly poignant depiction of one family’s journey through loss." —Kirkus Reviews

"A stunning and heartfelt book." —The Children's Book Review

"This book is for anyone who's ever experienced loss or grief, which is to say: all of us. Truly beautiful and poignant." —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan