The Phone Booth in Mr. HIrota's Garden, written by Heather Smith and illustrated by Rachel Wada. Orca Book Publishers, 2019. $19.95 ages 7 and up

"It was a phone booth, painted
white and with many panes of
glass.
Mr. Hirota went inside.
His voice floated out.
      Fumika? It's your father. 
      I miss you. 

Makio was confused.
Fumika had been snatched by
the ocean.
Just like Makio's dad."

This beautifully told story is based in truth. The 2011 tsunami captured the attention of the world, as it was broadcast day after day. For those who saw it through television reporting, the true impact on families and villages was quite impersonal as it was so far away. 

The story of a telephone booth built in a garden following the disaster gave Heather Smith an idea for a story that would allow young readers a chance to think about the people left behind when loved ones died. She imagines this story as a way to share the loss and grief felt by so many. Her author's note provides a photo and a short description.

Makio and his neighbor, Mr. Hirota like to visit with each other. Together they watch Makio's father and Mr. Hirota's daughter bring in and clean their morning catch. They were on the hill above watching when they felt the shaking and saw the wave approaching. Death and devastation lay in its wake. It took their two loved ones along with many others, and it silenced Makio's voice.

The grief in their village was palpable. Then, one day Mr. Hirota began building a phone booth. Once completed, Makio could hear Mr. Hirota talking to his daughter, Fumika. It caused some confusion for the young boy. That phone booth began attracting others to pay visits and speak to those they were missing so dearly.

Angry with the ocean, Makio raged against it. When that changed nothing, Makio made his first visit to the phone booth.

"Dad?
It's me. 
Can you hear me?
I yelled at the ocean. 
It said good morning anyway.

Guess what?
I did really well on my math test. 
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Everything's pink. 
Mom painted your room your favorite shade of blue."

Wondrous, full of grace, and so poignant.

Rachel Wada's award-winning artwork was 'inspired by Japanese techniques, ... and created using watercolors, black ink and pencils, and assembled digitally.' The palette chosen echoes the changing mood, as well as the grief that is so evident throughout the village. The weaving of light and dark results in a powerful response from readers.

(FYI:  Rachel Wada is the recipient of the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award 2020)