Suki and the Invisible Peacock

I found this reprint and while the quality of the book isn't as good as the original edition, the illustrations by Stephanie Clayton hold up magnificently! I love these pen & ink drawings and they accompanied a wonderful story so beautifully.

I purchased this book for my nephew who loves Peacocks. This is an endearing story about a lonely Japanese-American girl who makes up an invisible friend (the peacock) who teaches her some of the most important lessons in life. Themes of diversity, acceptance of our own individuality, unconditional love, self esteem and friendship are present throughout the story. Invisible friends are common in childhood, but in this story, the peacock seems so real to the reader that we begin to believe he is real too. Suki's father encourages the relationship with the invisible peacock and tells her such imagination can lead to good faith as an adult. The peacock teaches Suki to be humble and to love all others (even the school bully), just like God does. A good lesson for all. The book is 63 pages long and has only black/blue pen-and-ink/illustrations (although tastefully done, may not capture the attenttion of younger readers).