{"product_id":"9780889953543","title":"The Sakura Tree","description":"\u003cp\u003eThree girls sent away by a father who wishes for them a more prosperous life. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce there lived three Japanese sisters: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe eldest sister's name was Aki, which means autumn. She was named this because she was as graceful as the gold and red colored leaves that swirl gently to earth in the autumn breeze. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe middle sister's name was Fuyu, which means winter. She was named this because her skin was as fair as the whitest winter's snow. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe youngest sister's name was Haruko, which means spring. She was named this because her silky, black hair smelled of the sweetest spring blossoms. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe gently eloquent tale follows the progress of three so-called \"picture brides\" who come to Canada in the early twentieth century, three girls sent away by a father who wishes for them a more prosperous life than he can provide in their hometown of Sendai. Reluctant as they are to leave home, the sisters are nonetheless obedient to their father's wishes. Each takes with her one item that will remind her of their home. One brings a kimono, another a violin, but the youngest, Haruko, brings three seeds of the sakura tree. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sisters arrive on the shores of British Columbia, where their husbands await. Each joins the husband to whom she has been promised, and each has her own way of remembering the family and country she has left behind. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaruko plants the sakura seeds, each of which grows into a cherry tree. One spring, the blossoms swirl away in the wind, and are carried to the doorsteps of the two other sisters. The blossoms remind the sisters of Haruko and their Japanese home. Following the blossoms, they find Haruko's home and the three are reunited under the sakura trees to remember their lives together. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a book about the meaning of family and home and an exploration of Japanese culture in Canada. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlberta Children's\/Young Adult Book of the Year Nominee, 2008 \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCCBC's Best Books for Kids \u0026amp; Teens, 2008 \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Red Deer Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47028144046320,"sku":"9780889953543","price":15.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780889953543_p0.jpg?v=1763845182","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780889953543","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}