Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits

Code: 82015

Hardcover w/Dustjacket
National Price: $20.00
Online Direct: $15.00

Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits

Award-winning author, Richard M. Wainwright has again crafted a profound and deeply moving story for readers of all ages in Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits.

When Tamiko Takeda leaves her home in Japan with her family for the United States, she is concerned about adjusting to her new high school, a new language and a new culture. She's also worried about her beloved Koi, which are making the trip, too. Would they survive their journey? Would they adapt to their new home?

What Tamiko can't anticipate is the important role she and her fellow students will play in bringing a community together to improve the quality of life for all the town's citizens - even future generations. As Tamiko makes friends in her new school, she discovers the devastating effect cancer is playing in the lives of some of her fellow students and their families. In order to help, she and her friends devise a plan that involves and transforms the entire community. Tamiko's personal sacrifice exemplifies how one person's love can make a huge difference.

Recommended Age:
10 through Adult

Overall Length:
64 pages

Pages with Illustrations:
28 pages

Review by Melissa Parcel: www.curledupkids.com
Tamiko Takeda leaves Japan and moves with her family to the United States. Her family is renowned for raising koi and have moved to America to join with another koi dealer. Tamiko is worried because she is leaving everything she has ever known and will be living in a strange place with a different culture and language.

As Tamiko adjusts to her new living situation, she learns that a fellow classmate, Sergio, has leukemia. Through her compassionate spirit, Tamiko teaches others about the koi and their meanings, and Sergio communicates about his disease. Together, they learn about friendship and show others around them about love and tenacity.

Royal Koi and Kindred Spirits is a fantastic story filled with love and heart. Readers will come away with a sense of another culture, one not always familiar to young readers of today. The illustrations help to convey the beautiful qualities of the koi and the gardens described in the story.

Royal Koi and Kindred Spirits is recommended for parents and young readers to share and discuss the different themes involved with the touching storyline.

Review by The Reading Tub: www.thereadingtub.com
Summary: The Takeda family has raised world class Koi for generations. They have decided to start a joint venture with an American customer and friend to raise Royal Koi near Washington DC. Although saddened about leaving Japan, the Takedas are excited about their new venture. This is the story of how a young, sensitive, and caring teenager, Tamiko Takeda and her friends, came together to make life in their community better for everyone. This is a story offering empathy (and resolution) for those dealing with changes, big, small, real, or imagined.

Type of Reading: bedtime story, family reading, anytime reading, read alod book

Recommended Age: 8 to 12

Age of Child: Teen STAR Review Team, Be the Star You Are!™

Little Kid Reaction: Review pending.

Big Kid Reaction: This is an excellent story and the book is easily in the top ten that I have reviewed for [The Reading Tub]. The author and illustrator are extraordinarily talented.

Pros: This is as wholesome and positive a story that one can find. The author and the illustrator are masters of their respective crafts. This is children’s literature at its very best.

Cons: Absolutely none.

Borrow or Buy: Buy. You will want this book for your child, for your friend’s children, and last but not least classroom, school, and public library shelves. Adolescents will enjoy the story, relate to the characters, and understand and appreciate the lessons the story has to offer.

Educational Themes: The story relates the insecurity and fears that plague adolescents as they face change, real or imagined, and how Tamiko and her classmates dealt with them. There are a variety of topics: challenges of fitting in; the impact of a terminal illness of a classmate; self-sacrifice; and, the importance of contributing to one’s community for starters.

Literary Categories: fiction - cultures and traditions, death, medicine, family

Date(s) Reviewed: February 2007

Testimonials

"Readers of Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits will be deeply moved by your wonderful story. Those who have been touched by cancer will find renewed inspiration and hope from your tale of courage, community concern, sacrafice and love."
Ruth Hart, Palm Coast, FL

"Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits is an inspiring story of empathy, compassion, sacrifice, loss and the elevation of the indomitable human spirit. Wainwright's narrative magic, complemented by the artistic talent of Becky Haletky, has produced a compelling, poignant story that will touch and inspire young and old alike."
Ken Brynildsen, Author

"Through torrents of guests, mostly our children, we have put aside to read and enjoy your charming and touching book, Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits. We had tears in our eyes as we read your words, joy in our hearts and enjoyed the beautiful illustrations." Madeline and Gordon Hamersley

"I am a member of a local pond and Koi club, who was asked to read a galley copy of your book, Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits. My point of view is also that of a 60 year old retired elementary school teacher. Your book delivers quite a punch. I was warned that it was a tear jerker, so I expected a sad ending. But what I found was a story that brought tears of joy for the goodness of people – tears that flowed often, not just at the end. This story would make a wonderful movie - a mini series, after school special. It is a modal and inspiration for human compassion, empowerment and activism.

It is also surprisingly packed with countless authentic details about so many issues, causes and facets of life – even the way characters relate to other. They feel like people you might know. The beautiful pictures add to the reading.

Richard, you have quite a talent. Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits is a story I will not forget. Best wishes for continued success.
Jo Anne James, NY Koi & Pond Club

"I absolutely loved the heartwarming story! The description of the family's struggle while a child is undergoing cancer treatment is EXACTLY what the National Children's Cancer Society helps with everyday."
Melissa Aubuchon, NCCS

"Prose with a purpose - a book about giving of yourself for any age, young or old. Giving up something special to create possibilities for someone else is just one of the lessons in this heartfelt book rich in courage, hope and love. Any generation, age or culture can learn from Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits. One read and you'll think how you can help young people who have cancer. One of the best examples of compassion leading to action. You can't read Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits without being moved deeply. "
Beth Janery, CT

"All I can say is WOW! That was a very powerful and moving story. I couldn't keep the tears from flowing. My husband asked what I was crying about. I couldn't answer him because I couldn't keep my voice from wobbling. According to my husband, the Koi facts were accurate. I have three grandchildren. They are too young for the story at this point, but I will sure to get it for them when they are at the appropriate age. I think you should submit it for a Caldecott Medal. "
Kathy Hursh Genesee Valley Koi Club

ROYAL KOI & KINDRED SPIRITS: Richard Wainwright newest book continues to serve as a magnificent example of the values and lessons that we work to instill in our children every day. Not only do we all experience the joy of reading Richard’s stories together, but they remind us to be the best people we can as we relate to one another.
Marna Blomberg, Pembroke, MA


ROYAL KOI & KINDRED SPIRITS is a sensitive story blending cultures, caring and compassion to bring out the best in human nature, enhanced by the beautiful illustrations. Kudos to Richard Wainwright.
Ruth Hart, Florida


Through torrents of guests, mostly our children, we have put aside to read and enjoy your charming and touching book, Royal Koi & Kindred Spirits. We had tears in our eyes as we read your words, joy in our hearts and enjoyed the beautiful illustrations.
Madeline and Gordon Hamersley


“I am impressed. The look and feel of the book is solid and the illustrations were done so very well. There are places where I can still feel the magic and fun of your earlier stories, POOFIN and A TINY MIRACLE. Now you have added significant depth to what I perceived as a warm, family oriented and spiritually themed style.

There is complete character development and a wonderful message. Becoming emotional while reading a book is uncommon for me, but you created such a compelling tale of community and involvement where your characters have a quality that does not require personal reward to care for neighbors in need, that I found myself near tears several times. Thank you for allowing us to share this hopeful vision of unselfish relationships and family.”
James M. Donahue