Little Shrew

by Akiko Miyakoshi

Overview

A beguiling, quietly magical appreciation of life’s little pleasures.

Little Shrew is diligent in all parts of life. He’s a hard worker and follows a strict schedule from morning to night. But even a life that runs like clockwork can be filled with unexpected pockets of joy. This charming collection of three short stories — perfect for emerging readers — illustrated in Miyakoshi’s signature soft monochrome palette, celebrates enduring friendships, dreams for the future and the little pleasures that make everyday life more meaningful.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525313462
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	06/04/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	72 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Akiko Miyakoshi is the award-winning creator of several books for young readers that have been translated around the world. The Way Home in the Night won the 2017 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award and a 2016 BolognaRagazzi Award Special Mention, and The Tea Party in the Woods was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2015. The Storm, her first children’s book, won the Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix. Akiko lives, writes, draws and dreams at the foot of beautiful mountains in Japan.

Editorial Reviews

★ 03/11/2024

With understated storytelling and shadowy pencil, charcoal, and acrylic gouache artwork that’s simultaneously winsome and melancholy, Miyakoshi (I Dream of a Journey) examines the everyday life of a small shrew who lives modestly among humans. In the first of three satisfying sections, Little Shrew breakfasts on honey biscuits, commutes by train to a routine day at the office, stops at a bakery for “two rye bread rolls and one white roll,” and, after dinner, works on “this evening’s to-do”—an act that results in a well-earned success. The second chapter reveals another side of Little Shrew as he trades his scarf for a used television and discovers a new world in an underwater ocean scene that catalyzes “a dream of traveling to a tropical island” as well as a minor decor change. In the final section, Little Shrew prepares for an annual visit from two dear friends. After he makes soup and cleans, the furry guests arrive bearing honey and fancy chocolate, and the three chat and sing before saying goodbye. (“It was a good year,” Little Shrew reflects.) Whether or not Little Shrew will one day get the trip he yearns for, renderings of quiet, precisely completed routines and the occasional celebration bring security and contentment to this intimate here-and-now portrait. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 5–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

The graceful proportions, atmospheric detail, and quiet, bewitching light of Miyakoshi's charcoals distinguish this small gem.—Publishers Weekly, starred review (Praise for Tea Party in the Woods)

... he's both a stand-in for young readers and a role model whom they may wish to emulate someday ... Charm incarnate.—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

... offers young minds ample space to wonder and wander on their own.—New York Times (Praise for I Dream of a Journey)

... simultaneously winsome and melancholy ... renderings of quiet, precisely completed routines and the occasional celebration bring security and contentment to this intimate here-and-now portrait.—Publishers Weekly, starred review

A web of enchantment draws readers into this affecting story.—Publishers Weekly, starred review (Praise for Way Home in the Night)

... a calming naptime or bedtime read for families to share.—Youth Services Book Review

Charming in so many ways.—School Library Journal

... the detailed beauty of each illustration and its accompanying text will charm older children as well as adult readers. Highly Recommended.—CM Magazine

From the Publisher

05/01/2024

Gr 1–3—Anthropomorphic Little Shrew lives in an apartment, works in a people-filled world, and is content with his weekly routine. A story in three parts that has slightly longer text than many picture books follows Little Shrew as he solves a puzzle, then barters for a TV at a garage sale—which leads to dreams of visiting warmer places. In the third section, Little Shrew celebrates New Year's with two mice friends. The New Year's party scene does have the male mouse holding two alcoholic beverages. This is perhaps in recognition of Japanese culture, where there are beer vending machines and a different attitude towards alcohol. Using pencil, charcoal, and acrylic gouache, this tale is brought to life through black-and-white illustrations interspersed with colorful pages. The artwork does appear slightly pixelated; the black-and-white pages appear similar to an old TV set with an almost fuzzy look. A downside is the physical size, a mere 6 x 8 inches and 72 pages. Chapter book in size, but almost beginning reader-esque in the use of white space, picture book in concept—where to shelve this? The text is mostly one and two syllable words, with a few longer words included. VERDICT Charming in so many ways, this will take some hand-selling to find its true audience.—Sarah Sieg

School Library Journal