There are many types of working dogs in our society, all of which help us live better lives. But while guide dogs, service dogs, and search and rescue dogs may be familiar to most people, the work of mine detection dogs may not. What kind of dogs become mine detection dogs? How are they trained? How do they actually find mines? In this book, I’ll take the young audience to Bosnia and Herzegovina where puppies are born and trained and to the mine field of Cambodia where mine detection dogs work. My hope is that more children will be touched by these amazing dogs, and begin to take a greater interest in the issue of land mines.
Kodansha Ltd., Publishers, 2009 Yen 1,600 (Japanese)
The main purposes of the work of a child life specialist are to act as an advocate for children in medical facilities, and to help them cope with the stress, pain and anxiety of treatment or hospitalization. This book describes the work of child life specialists through the story of the friendship between Fendi, a five-year old girl with left heart syndrome, and Erin, a child life specialist in Miami Children’s Hospital. The book takes the audience through the difficult journey that Fendi had to take — from her heart surgery through her recovery — and how she managed that journey with the help of Erin. While child life specialists are placed in more than 400 hospitals, clinics and hospices in the United States, only 13 child life specialists exist in Japan. I’m hoping that this book will make a small contribution toward introducing and promoting the concept of child life, which would greatly enhance the quality of life for children in medical settings.
The war in Bosnia claimed as many as 250,000 lives and displaced 2 million people during the period between 1992 and 1995. 11 years after the ethnic cleansing, the country’s ethnic division still remains. However, it does not stop an innovative peace building effort called the Community Gardening Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In their gardens, people meet, work together, and form friendships regardless of their ethnicities. 11year old Emina, a Bosniak, meets another girl, Nada, who is Serb, and they become best friends. Emina’s love for Nada makes her wonder why there was ever a war in the first place, and she starts to explore how she could prevent war from happening again so that they would not be forced to become enemies. . .
Iwasaki Publishing Co., Ltd., 2006 Yen 1,500 (Japanese)
My closet was filled with unopened boxes. I couldn’t even open some of my drawers because I had too many things stuffed inside. Hours of my precious time were wasted in looking for missing items…until I met a professional organizer who helped me change my life. With her tips, I was able to simplify my life and gain greater freedom. I wrote this book for a Japanese audience who could not let things go easily. I hope it will serve as a guide book for those who don’t want to just throw things away.
Iwanami Shoten Publishers, 2005 Yen 1,470 (Japanese)
When Injured Birds Fly -Stories of Children at Green Chimneys
Green Chimneys is a world-renowned treatment center for emotionally injured children, which has been applying the power of nature toward healing since 1947. Many children who come to this upstate New York farm arrive scarred by mistreatment. But they learn to both love and to receive love through the action of caring for animals and plants. This book’s many heartwarming photos of children with animals paint thousands of words of how the loving
connection between them works . It is easy reading for those who are interested in animal assisted therapy, horticulture therapy, or in helping children with emotional and behavioral problems.
Iwasaki Publishing Co., Ltd., 2005 Yen 1,400 (Japanese)
