A Carp for Kimiko (Paperback)
A wonderful look into Japanese tradition and culture through the eyes of a young girl, Kimiko. Every year on Children's Day in Japan a kite in the shape of a carp is flown for each boy in the family. Kimiko desperately wants an orange, black, and white calico carp kite of her own to fly, but her parents remind her that there is a holiday just for girls–Doll's Day. This does not stop Kimiko from dreaming about and wishing for her very own carp. The magical ending achieves the impossible–Kimiko gets what she longs for without breaking tradition. Katherine Roundtree's beautiful illustrations evoke the wonder and excitement of childhood, which will charm readers as they celebrate tradition and diversity.
Virginia Kroll has contributed more than 1500 items to juvenile magazines. She travels throughout the country speaking to children about writing multicultural books. She is the author of many children's books, including WOOD-HOOPOE WILLIE, A CARP FOR KIMIKO, SWEET MAGNOLIA, JAHA AND JAMIL WENT DOWN THE HILL, HATS OFF TO HAIR!, MASAI AND I (Four Winds Press), and BUTTERFLY BOY (Boyds Mill Press). Virginia lives in New York with her family.