The Lost Kitten

The Lost Kitten by Lee, illustrated by Komako Sakai (Gecko Press) HB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781877579554

Reviewed by Dawn Meredith

I have to say out of the three books released by Gecko Press this one is my favourite, simply because the illustrations are so stunningly beautiful. Komako Sakai uses a palette knife on board, with layering of simple opaque, pastel colours contrasted with charcoal greys and sparse Matisse-like black outlining, but the most stunning thing of all is the rendering of cats and kittens. This artist has an amazing ability to, with a few strokes, show the angular lines of a cat’s body as well as the softness of fur.

The story follows a little girl named Hina, who finds a skinny, scruffy kitten on the doorstep one day, behind which sits a mother cat and two other kittens. The understanding is that the mother cat is asking them to take care of her baby. At first Hina is unappreciative of the tiny cat saying “if we’re going to have a kitten I’d rather get a cute one from the pet shop.”

Her mother gently shows her how to care for the kitten, cleaning it with a soft wet towel, wiping the goo out from its eyes. Hina softens towards the creature and is drawn into the spell of wonder at its tiny life.

Hina stroked the kitten as gently as if she were touching butterfly wings. The kitten seemed to like it. Hina slipped her hand under its tummy and lifted. It was so soft and light. When she held the kitten, its tummy moved in and out and it purred deep in its throat. “Even though it’s so tiny,” Hina said, “it’s alive.”

As Hina learns to understand the kitten and its instinctive ways such as lapping up milk with its tongue and hiding under cupboards she also learns how to care for it, providing a bed and a collar with a bell and thinking up names for it.

But as her mum leaves the house to go and get food for the kitten Hina realises it has disappeared and she panics. It reminds her of a time when she was lost while shopping with her mother. The fear she felt on that day she now ascribes to how the kitten must feel, for she is sure that it is lost too.  Hina searches for the kitten and promises to be its friend. She persists, realising how much it means to her. As she puts on her coat to go searching outside she finds it at the bottom of the cupboard curled up with a sweater. The cat is thus named Sleepy and so begins the friendship.

The gentleness of the story, translated beautifully from Japanese, is very touching. Somehow the artist manages to convey the harshness of life as a wildcat with the softness of the kitten’s fur and the progressive softening of Hina’s heart. It’s a beautiful book and in hardcover edition is a comforting heirloom. Suitable for ages 2 to 5 years.

The Strongest Boy in the World

The Strongest Boy in the World by Jessica Souhami (Frances Lincoln/Walker Books)

HC RRP $27.95

ISBN 9781847804112

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The Strongest Boy in the World is based on a popular and well-known Japanese tale from the 13^th Century. A young boy, Kaito, dreams of becoming a champion Sumo wrestler, therefore rich and famous.  He sets out for Kyoto and the wrestling tournament, convinced he can win regardless of his puny build.

A meeting on the way with the strong and manly Hana changes his life. She carries carry water on her head without spilling a drop. In the short time remaining till the tournament, Hana teaches Kaito strength training, which foods to eat for muscle building, and how to hold his stances.

On arrival, he is ridiculed by the huge wrestlers that refuse to take him seriously. But will confidence and absolute belief in himself bring Kaito to victory? And will the skills and disciplines Hana has handed on help Kaito in his quest for fame?

This tale carries several themes, the most important being nothing is impossible, and believing in yourself can achieve miracles.

The fantastic illustrations are boldly presented with collage of Ingres papers hand-painted with watercolour, ink and graphite pencil. This mixed media perfectly portrays the Japanese setting, and gives an added dimension to the full page pictures. 

Moonshadow 3: The Twilight War

Moonshadow 3: The Twilight War by Simon Higgins (Random House)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-8647-1977-2

Reviewed by Oliver Phommavanh

Moonshadow returns in his most deadly mission yet in The Twilight War. It is a novel for younger readers that focuses on Grey Light Order, a clan of samurai caught up in a feud with the Fuma Clan.

Fans would have noticed Moonshadow’s friend Snowhawk, an ex-member of the Fuma Clan is now accepted by the Grey Light Order, but there are still lingering doubts. Is Snowhawk really a double agent? 

The Fuma Clan attack the Grey Light Order’s headquarters and snatch Snowhawk, but no one knows for sure if she was kidnapped or willingly left with them. Moonshadow is determined to find out the truth. He is sent to track Snowhawk down and see which side she’s really on.

Higgins’s expertise in Japanese martial arts and ancient history adds an extra layer to this exciting story. Like with other books in the series, there’s a glossary with Japanese terms. I’d recommend it to anyone who is learning about Japan at school or just interested in Japanese culture. The action is relentless as Higgins gives detailed descriptions of all the moves and strategies. It’s like reading a manga without the pictures, though it’s easy to really picture this like it’s an anime adaptation.

The characters have their quirky personalities. I loved reading more about Groundspider as he accompanies Moonshadow on the mission. He’s a dependable guy with a wicked sense of humour. He supplies most of the lighter moments in a tense story. Regular favourites also return but essentially this is all about Moonshadow.  

The Twilight War sets things up for another heart-thumping book. You don’t need to read the previous books. However, I’m sure new fans will want to read them all after this latest instalment. Highly recommended for ages 9 and up.  

Yumi

Yumi by Annelore Parot (hardie grant Egmont)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921690358

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This amazing book introduces the Japanese kokeshi doll. It is an ingenious concept for a picture book and is aimed at teaching children about Japanese culture in an interactive way.

The character’s name is Yumi. She introduces herself from inside a cut-out framed image. Another full length Yumi follows surrounded by her accessories: sashes, fans, umbrellas, kimonos, socks, handbags, teapots, hair combs and more. Yumi’s name written in Japanese edges the left-hand page.

A double page depicts a large horizontal Yumi. In her head space are pictures in square caption form of her pet Bamboo, her best friend Sakumi, and a plan of her house. In the top part of her chest is the framed form of the city. On her sash are the shops, and on the lower part of her kimono is a picture of the dream garden and two pictures of Kimi’s party. These are labelled in English and Japanese. This sequence of frames are the events ahead.

Yumi’s kimonos fill the page. She peeks out from behind a partition of dialogue about her clothing. She invites suggestions about what to wear.

We must find her best friend Sakumi amongst the rows of kokeshi dolls on the page or under two additional flaps, and her pet, Bamboo, hidden amongst a forge of vivid colour and design against a black background.

Kimi’s having a party. Beautiful coloured kites in fish designs are floating in the wind as it gains force and the petals from the cherry blossoms float competing with the kites.

The costume shop is Kimi and Yumi’s destination. They must follow the detailed signs to find their way. Two pages of horizontal fold-outs exhibit all the costumes available. They return to Kimi’s house where they change and move toward the buffet meal of delicious, mouth-watering Japanese food.

They leave while the cherry blossoms and the trees are still visible. Then night is upon Yumi. ‘The animals have all gone to sleep and the trees are full of dreams’. The little kokeshi doll salutes the day inside a folded envelope of the same beautifully spotted design as her favourite kimono and the back cover.

This magnificently presented book has a padded hardcover decorated with Japanese prints. A sewn on character of Yumi wearing a red spotted kimono with a patterned waist band is depicted on the front against a sea-green background. The end pages have identical pictures of all the characters appearing in the book but with a different background colour. A second book, Kimonos, is also available.