A delightful international tale about a little girl, Kikko, trying to catch up to her father who has just left the house to go visit grandma. If Kikko hurries she will be able to catch Father and give him the pie that he forgot to take with him. Kikko knows if she follows Father’s tracks in the snow she will soon find him. She sees him just a little ways up ahead. She hurries to catch him but she stumbles and falls on the pie box, crushing the pie inside. When she stands up she continues on after her father only to find him entering a house that she has never seen on this journey before. When Kikko arrives at the house she is invited inside by a anthropomorphic lamb where she then encounters other such animals having a tea party. (Father turns out to be a bear instead.)
Charcoal, pencil and ink images evoke not only the dream-like tale but also the wintry setting. Color ink is sparse and serves to punctuate and highlight Kikko and certain small details. The color ink is also used to accentuate the happy feeling in a parade scene. The illustrations will engage readers and the story is universal.
Ultimately a book about friendship, sharing and kindness. Translated from Japanese. Originally titled: Mori no Oku no Ochakai e.
Recommended.
