In Chirri & Chirra In the Night, identical twins, Chirri and Chirra, hear the sounds of drums and flutes coming from the forest just as the sun is setting. Off they go on their bikes to “take a look.” They first discover an enchanting, “… black cat drink stall!” There the sisters drink multiple delicious full-moon sodas. As they drink they sprout cat tails, whiskers, ears and enhanced night vision. “They can see everything now, even in the dark.” The magic has begun! Next, their cat guides pick flowers that “Chirri and Chirra have never seen before to make necklaces for them.” The cats tell them “these will be your tickets for the festival.”

Then the cats lead them deeper in the forest to the Full Moon, a feline festival where they discover booths with food and toys they have never seen before. They are given funny masks to wear, lighted yo-yos and delicious “Crunchy animal popout cookies!”

Their magical adventures continue when a lively band forms a parade to lead them to a perfectly round lake in a clearing. Cats and twins make a circle around it. There, glowing lanterns touch the flowers on their necklaces to change them to “flowerworks” that illuminate the magical night. “What a lovely moonlit night.” The accompanying illustration show multiple cats and kittens along with the sisters ringing the lake, all reflected along with the moon. Each character holds a “flowerwork” that cast a luminescence on the moonlit night. The final illustration shows the sisters back on their bikes headed for home guided by a bright, full moon.

The spare text is accompanied by detailed, softly colored illustrations that capture the story’s magic and wonder. The soft colors shimmer, adding to the gentle magic of the story. The illustrations have many details that children will want to carefully examine. The small size of the book, 9.5 inches by 6.5 inches, is perfect for little hands to hold.

Sometimes the illustrations include words that extend the text, often with delightful humorous touches. For example, when the sisters reach the festival, a ticket checker allows them entrance to the festival with a speech bubble the says – “Purr-mission granted.” Another page shows booths at the festival which include words on the tents that advertise their wares. For example, one booth featuring musical instruments is named – “Mysterious Melody Makers.”

This book is translated from Japanese by David Boyd. The author-illustrator, Kaya Doi, lives in Japan and has “created many wonderful books.” There are seven other books about the sisters that continue their adventures. Three-year-olds through 7-year olds will treasure this series. Children will enjoy the books as a read aloud by an adult or read alone on their own. –Recommended by Marilyn Carpenter, Professor Emeritus Eastern Washington University

Title: Chirri & Chirra In The Night
Author/Illustrator: Kaya Doi
Translator: David Boyd
Publisher: Enchanted Lion
PubDate: December 27, 2022
ISBN: 9781592703845

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• Themes: Chirri and Chirra in the Night, David Boyd, Kaya Doi, Marilyn Carpenter
• Descriptors: WOW Recommends