Hachi, you are the best dog in all of Japan.' Professor Ueno speaks these words to his faithful dog before boarding the train to work every morning. The loyalty and devotion of a dog has no bounds I love it.' -Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Award-winning author of Sarah Plain and Tall Hachiko Waits shows us the very best in life loyalty, devotion, our ability to love-all taught by a beloved, intelligent, and heroic dog. The book is best suited for kids between 8 and 11.'Profoundly sad and hopeful at the same time. However, as the story is sad sometimes, this may not work for children who are sensitive to character death in books. This book allows American children to experience the story of Hachiko and be inspired by his devotion. It also includes a glossary of Japanese terms used in the book. The book features Japanese inspired black and white illustrations. There is a statue honoring his memory and his loyalty near the train station where he waited. The story of Hachiko has become a national legend about loyalty and faithfulness in Japan. This book written for middle grade readers is based on the true story of the loyal dog Hachiko who waited every day from 1925 until his death in 1935.

A boy tries to take care of Hachiko, but Hachiko will not live with the boy or give up his daily vigil. Every day for ten years Hachiko waits at the train station at three o’clock.

One day, the professor does not arrive on the train at three o’clock. Hachiko starts accompanying his master to the train station every morning and meeting him there every afternoon at three o’clock. Hachiko is an Akita dog owned by Professor Ueno who tells Hachiko that he is the best dog in Japan. Sprinkled throughout with Japanese vocabulary words, this audio production serves as an excellent introduction to a different culture while simultaneously illustrating the universality of human emotions. Poet, author, and animal advocate Lesleá Newman earned an ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Honor and scores of other accolades for this touching tale based on a true story. In time, Hachiko will come to be remembered and honored throughout Japan for his singular devotion. Days and weeks pass and still no one-not even the young boy Yasuo who comes to care for him-can persuade the faithful dog to leave his post. Then one afternoon Professor Ueno does not return. And Hachiko sits at the station eagerly awaiting his master’s return. They enjoy a breakfast together before the professor leaves to catch the train to the school where he teaches. Every morning in the Japanese town of Shibuya, Professor Ueno awakens and is greeted by his loyal Akita dog, Hachiko.

Hachiko Waits by Lesléa Newman