The Big Wave Paperback – April 18, 1986

I read this book many years ago, and have been waiting for the right moment to read it to my child. This week, while we are absorbing the 12/26/2004 tsunami in South Asia, I deemed the moment right.The story is set in Japan at some time in the past, when the farmers and fishermen in the community are following the paths their fathers and grandfathers set. We see the story through the eyes of Kino who lives on a mountain farm, and learns about the sea through his friendship with Jiya, who lives "in the last house in the row of houses toward the ocean, and [whose] house [does] not have a window toward the sea" because, as Jiya tells Kino, "the sea is our enemy." Kino is relieved that he does not live near the sea, but his father reminds him of the great volcano, twenty miles away, and tells him that they "must learn to live with danger."The storyline is simple, almost inevitable. A volcano erupts under the sea and causes a tsunami, which sweeps away the fishing village by the sea. Many lives are lost. As the survivors slowly recover, and Kino's friend Jiya starts to accept life again, Kino asks his father all the questions that children need to ask after a natural disaster. His father's answers each question with patience and wisdom, in a manner open-ended enough so that the reader (or reader and parent) can pause and talk about their own beliefs and feelings. Or the reader can turn the page and stay absorbed in this well-crafted story.My only disappointment with my paperback edition (HarperCollins, 1986, ISBN 0-06-440171-5) is that it left out the famous woodblock prints by the 19th century Japanese artists Hokusai and Hiroshige. I pored over these illustrations as a child and immediately recognized them when I saw them in my library copy. Pearl Buck selected each individual print to allow her readers to see the beauty of Japan, and they form an integral part of the story. I would recommend you buy the Library Binding version by HarperCollins (1999, ISBN 0-38-199923-8) or check out a book with illustrations from your library.

Well, I have not read a bad book book by Pearl S. Buck, and this one is no exception. It is beautifully written, in a clear, simple style. It deals with the power of nature, the acceptance of that power, and with love within a family. The main characters are good people, with hearts big enough to accept someone else into their family, even though they are not blessed with money. In a way that "big wave", the tsunami, that strikes them, brings out the best in all of them. And the description of the disaster itself and the havoc and destruction it is causing is powerful, yet poetic, as if the wave is alive. I was sorry to put the book down when it ended, I wanted it to continue...

Tsunami have been a part of Japan's culture for as long as they can remember. The people face a catastrophic wave with characteristic pragmatism. Notable are the kindness and generosity of both the rich paternal town leader and the humble village farmer, who is especially wise. A glimpse into the world of human existence, common to all cultures.

Understanding human nature has always been the key. As usual Pearl S Buck does not disappoint, a very pleasant way to spend an hour with a delightful book.

Pearl Buck's "The Big Wave" was my introduction as a 3rd grader into a world that was not a fairy tale world. Buck tells the story of friends, Kino and Jiya. They live in Japan as a farmer's son and a fisherman's son, respectively.Kino is not as comfortable with the sea as Jiya is. But they swim together and go on outings together, enjoying their friendship and their families.When the tsunami strikes, Jiya loses everything in his life.This is the point that is unusual in a children's book. Buck takes Jiya through the grieving process. Kino's father has many wise things to tell his son about life and death and the way we must accept that death is part of life.A child of 8 could probably read this book on her own, but read aloud, it gives a chance to discuss the fears and issues. The knowledge that families go on and life goes on even after terrible tragedy is a beautiful lesson in this well-told tale.

Ordered this book for my third grade homeschooled kids literature for the year. Absolutely adored this little gem of a book. So quick to get through but packed with lots of wisdom. We had a great time incorporating a lot of earth science into our learning as well.

I bought this as a gift for my granddaughter's teacher as she does an in depth unit on Japan. I can't give it to her as the spine is cracked and looks used.

Book arrived on time and was in excellent condition.