The Big First-Grader and the Small Second-Grader

Masaya is a shy boy who depends on his friend Akiyo, a second-grader, to help him brave the walk to school. Even though he’s tall, the dark path through the trees scares him too much to face alone. One day, Akiyo’s flower falls apart, and Masaya wants to make her feel better. But the only place he can find bellflowers is a distant field under a solitary pine tree-a much scarier trip than his usual walk to school.