The East-West House: Noguchi’s Childhood in Japan

Illustrator Hale’s authorial debut is a serene account of Noguchi’s early life in Japan as the son of a Japanese poet and an American writer. Quiet earth tones and collages of handmade paper carry through the twin themes of contemplation and the inherent worth of handcraft. In the book’s most arresting passage, eight-year-old Noguchi helps design and build the house he and his mother will live in after his father leaves: “He supervised construction/ watched each detail with care.” The startling idea of allowing a young child to contribute materially to such a significant project is a bright spot in an occasionally grim tale. Ages 6–11. (Sept.)