Kaya Doi

Chirri and Chirra set off on their bicycles for a day of enchanted adventures in the green forest in this charming Japanese picture-book. Everywhere they go, every establishment they visit, is staffed and patronized by animals. From the fox who waits upon them at the forest cafe, to the raccoon who serves them at the forest bakery, the two girls' day is spent surrounded by woodland creatures. So too is their night, as they check into the forest hotel and enjoy a nighttime concert, singing show more along with the other guests...

An absolute delight of a book, Chirri & Chirra features exactly the kind of gentle, matter-of-factly fantastic adventure that I have come to associate with Japanese picture-books. Author/artist Kaya Doi is apparently quite well known in her native country, but this marks her debut (as far as I know) in English. Kudos to Brooklyn-based Enchanted Lion Books for having it translated! The illustrations here are just lovely, whether depicting the eponymous heroines in a wider forest scene, or just focusing on particular objects, such as the treats the girls obtain at the establishments they visit. There is a feeling here, facilitated by both text and image, of stepping into another world - a happy, refreshingly green, reassuringly safe world, with plenty of good things to eat, and amiable animals to befriend. What child wouldn't love that?! I recommend this one to anyone looking for entertaining new picture-books with a gentle but engrossing story and beautiful artwork. For my part, I'm delighted to see that more of these books have been translated, and definitely intend to track down some of the sequels! show less

Those bicycling siblings (twins, perhaps?) return in this follow-up to their first adventure from Japanese author/illustrator Kaya Doi, Chirri & Chirra. Here they explore the world of the meadow in front of their house, following various creatures - a bumblebee, some flower chafers, and a lizard - home and witnessing the creation of various delectable treats. After a full day of fun, they return home in the dark, their path lit by a sparkle of fireflies...

Every bit as charming as its show more predecessor, Chirri & Chirra: In the Tall Grass pairs an engrossing naturalistic fantasy story with beautiful artwork. Children will enjoy the glimpse given, through the girls' experiences, into the various creatures' miniature homes. I found the bumblebee's house particularly winsome, although the scene with the fireflies was also quite lovely, and brought me back to my own childhood, when I would, together with my sisters, chase after these bioluminescent creatures (which we called lightning bugs). Highly recommended, both to those who read and enjoyed the previous title, and to anyone looking for children's stories that show the beauty and enchantment of the natural world. show less

When those intrepid twins, Chirri and Chirra, hear something in their downstairs pantry, and see some legs disappearing into a hole in their cellar, they get their bikes and follow the intruders, leading to a magical underground adventure. In their course of their journey they encounter an underground peanut farm, an underground flower garden, and meet a Badger family (whose three children were the aforementioned intruders) who take them to a beautiful underground lake...

Like its three show more predecessors, I found Chirri & Chirra: Underground - originally published in Japan, and translated for the English-language market by the marvelous Brooklyn-based Enchanted Lion Books - to be utterly charming! I love the matter-of-factly magical adventures these two sisters have - they always encounter animals doing unexpected things, and inevitably get to enjoy unexpected treats - and I love the beautiful illustrations. Recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed other stories about Chirri and Chirra, and to those seeking magical picture-book adventures! show less

Those charming Japanese sisters, Chirri and Chirra, return in this third picture-book devoted to their magical bicycling adventures. Taking off into the woods on the first day of snow, they encounter a beautiful white world, eventually coming upon an ice door that leads them into another enchanted encounter with a cast of animal friends. Playing with frozen flower-marbles, enjoying a dip in the hot springs, taking a nap in a bear family's igloo - the sisters have a magical time...

Every bit show more as delightful as its two predecessors - Chirri & Chirra and Chirri & Chirra: In the Tall Grass - Chirri & Churra: The Snowy Day pairs an engaging and ultimately magical story with charming and adorable artwork. I loved the first two tales about this pair, but given my fondness for wintry white landscapes, this one is undoubtedly my favorite yet! There is a gentle, matter-of-fact way that author/illustrator Kaya Doi depicts the amazing creatures her characters meet, and the extraordinary experiences they have, that is very appealing. I am so glad that Brooklyn-based publisher, Enchanted Lion Books, has been making these stories available to English speakers, and I hope they continue to do so! Recommended to anyone who has enjoyed other tales of Chirra and Chirra, and to anyone seeking magical picture-book adventures. show less