This is a story about the art of caring. Its message will speak to the heart of any child who reads it and nourish his or her roots in the process
- Ron Himler, illustrator of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Centuries ago, a Japanese white pine tree grew on the island of Miyajima in Japan. While the tree was still young, it was gently uprooted and taken to join the Yamaki family at their home in Hiroshima, where it was lovingly pruned and trimmed into a beautiful bonsai tree. Told from the perspective of the little tree, this astonishing true story is a tale of survival, hope, and friendship. Time passed happily for the little tree, until the morning of August 6, 1945, when an atomic bomb destroyed Hiroshima. Many people died, but the Yamaki family and Miyajima, along with all their other bonsai trees, survived the tragedy. Life went on for the little tree, until one day in 1976, a truck arrived to take Miyajima away. The little bonsai tree was on its way to the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, as a gift of friendship from Japan to America. Miyajima was so proud to be a part of this gift, but also very sad to leave the Yamaki family and his home. Many years later, Masaru, the elderly grandfather of the Yamaki family, and his ten-year-old grandson, Akira, make a surprise visit to Washington. They head directly to the National Arboretum to visit their much missed and beloved family member, Miyajima.
Ages 8-12
