The Tiger’s Choice: Talking About The Happiness of Kati
Books that tell me what people wear, what they eat, and how they spend their time have delighted me since I first began to read, so perhaps this is why I love The Happiness of Kati. Like The Wind in the Willows and The Little House in the Big Woods, this small novel about a small Thai girl and her family has enlarged my world by describing a different way of living.
And yet in the descriptions of a rural Thai childhood, there are hints given at the beginning of each chapter that there is a sorrowful mystery at the heart of Kati’s seemingly idyllic life, and when that mystery is divulged, the story carries the weight of loss and sorrow.
As the jacket flap informs readers, Jane Vejjajiva is the daughter of a doctor who researches Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and this knowledge informs much of her story. In addition to this, Jane Vejjajiva was born with cerebral palsy, building a career as a writer, translator and publisher, traveling and studying abroad, and living a life filled with accomplishment and challenges. When she writes about disease and disability, she is well acquainted with these subjects, and depicts them without sentimemtality or mawkishness.
I am always struck when I read this book by the sensitive and skillful treatment of themes not usually found in middle-grade fiction in the United States. What do you think? Is this a book you would share with your child, your classroom? Tell us why–or why not!
September 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
This book sounds very interesting! I would definately consider sharing with my kids…I love multicultural books and find them fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
September 18th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
What a beautiful blog.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Sunny and Kathy, welcome! And so many thanks for your comments. How old are your children, Sunny? This could be too sad for children under eight or so–even for people much over eight– such as me–it can induce a tear or two. But it is such a lovely book that it’s worth a pang of sadness.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
This sounds like an excellent read – thanks for opening me up to it!
September 18th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
This book sounds very interesting and yes I would read it with my children (well when they aren’t toddlers anymore of course!) I too like to read about other cultures. Great blog!
September 18th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
By the age of middle school, I think this is an entirely appropriate book to share. Middle school children are beginning to feel peer pressures and exclusions and may be particularly sensitive to the message and perhaps it will help them to be better people themselves.
September 19th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
What a great idea for a book blog. I wish you every success. I love literature in translation myself and encourage others to try it. It’s great to get children interested in other cultures while they’re young.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Just stopped by (via My Friend Amy) to say how great I think this blog is! I look forward to reading more awesome posts!
~Julie
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Tracee, Callista, Elizabeth, Sandra and Julie,
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! If you do read The Happiness of Kati, I would be so thrilled to hear what you think of it–and if you shared it with children whom you know and love!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
What grade level would you teach this to? I was thinking seventh?
November 4th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Definitely middle-school range –no younger than sixth grade.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
[...] given to the best literature by Southeast Asians. Read Janet’s three posts about the book (1, 2, 3), as she gets deeper into the beautifully layered story of a Thai girl and her family. And [...]
May 26th, 2011 at 2:46 am
One of my favorite book. The book contains what is lacking in most modern Thai movie and literature. The beauty in simplicity. Highly recommend..