<< Back to previous page

"The East-West House: Noguchi's Childhood in Japan" by Christy Hale

Author:

Christy Hale

Publisher:

Lee & Low Books

Hale, Christy.  THE EAST-WEST HOUSE.  Lee & Low Books, 2009.

Few children will know of the work of artist Isamu Noguchi which is the reason for sharing this fine partial biography.  An introductory page of back story precedes Hale’s lyrical account of Noguchi arriving in Japan from the United States with his Caucasian mother.  Life in the family was unsettled at best.  When his mother discovered his Japanese father’s other family it proved too much to endure.  So mother and son as gaijin (foreigners) explored their adopted country and eventually made a place of their very own.  Eight year old Noguchi designed the house himself, to incorporate visual elements reflecting his Japanese father and his Scottish mother.  The story closes as Isamu surveys his handiwork, “And where emptiness once lived, Isamu created home.” 

An extensive section at the book’s end provides more information for adult readers (and a few small photographs) about the artist’s adult life.  To help children understand the nature of the work Noguchi did as an adult, teachers and librarians will want to search out large reproductions of this that will show the scale on which this artist worked.  Many of these artworks are very large, as well as very simple.  There are several websites featuring his work, which adults may find useful. 

For a Word document of this review, click Here.