U4W3 Akita and Carlo

Akita and Carlo

CHAPTER 1 Waking Up “ Time for breakfast, Akita and Maki! ” Akita's mom calls. In Tokyo, Japan, Akita shuffles sleepily across the tatami floor. Mom is making a hot rice cereal called okayu (o-ki-u). " I'm hungry! ” Akita says, sitting down at the kotatsu. A kotatsu is a low table where they sit on pillows to eat. After breakfast, Akita rolls up her mattress and quilts and puts them away in a closet. Akita has an American pen pal, Lara. She knows Lara has toast and cold cereal for breakfast. Lara also sleeps in a bed up off of the floor. okayu kotatsu

Meanwhile, in Florence, Italy, Carlo eats breakfast at the kitchen table with his parents and older sisters. His breakfast is different from Akita's. “ Yum! My favorite breakfast, " Carlo says as he takes a bite of a roll and a sip of hot chocolate. After breakfast, Carlo dresses in shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers. He thinks about his cousin David in New York City. David wears the same kind of clothes that Carlo wears, but unlike Carlo, he travels to school by subway.

CHAPTER 2 Going to School Akita and her brother, Maki, get ready to walk to school. They both wear school uniforms. “ Don't forget your yellow cap, ” Akita reminds Maki. They leave the apartment at 8: 15. Drivers can easily see their bright caps, which helps them stay safe.

Akita and Maki remove their shoes and caps at school and then put on slippers. Next, they head to their classrooms. Akita bows and greets her teacher. “ Ohayo gozai masu(good morning), sensei(teacher). ” Her friend Lara told her that American children say good morning to their teacher too. But unlike Japanese children, they don't bow. “ Imagine not bowing, " thinks Akita. “ How odd. " sensei