Totto‑Chan: The Little Girl at the Window is an autobiographical memoir by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, originally published in Japan in 1981 under the title Madogiwa no Totto‑chan.

The book tells the story of Totto‑Chan, a curious, energetic little girl whose behaviour in her first grade class—constantly standing at the window, calling to street musicians, being distracted—earns her expulsion from a conventional school. Her mother, instead of scolding or punishing her, finds a new school for her: Tomoe Gakuen, founded by the visionary headmaster Sosaku Kobayashi, who believes in freedom of expression, creativity, and respect for each child’s individuality.

At Tomoe, classes are held in old railroad cars converted into classrooms, children learn subjects freely, and even certain norms (“normal” behaviour) are challenged: students from diverse backgrounds—including children with disabilities and those who have returned from abroad—are welcomed, encouraged, and accepted. The school environment is joyous, vibrant, and deeply caring. Totto‑Chan blossoms here, learns empathy, love, creativity, and what it means to be human— even as the shadow of World War II and its many hardships creep closer. Eventually, the school is destroyed in bombing raids, but the memory and impact of its philosophy live on.