暖綿綿的禮物 I Want Something Fluffy by Namako Takagi

暖綿綿的禮物 I Want Something Fluffy by Namako Takagi
Illustration copyright by Usa Tanaka 2010
Chinese translation copyright arranged through Color Art Agency
Chinese translation copyright 2011 by Reader Publishing Co., Ltd.
http://namode.com
32 pages
Preschool
No official website.



A small tuff of fur from a rabbit blows with the wind to where a lizard rests. The lizard asks if he can have the fur and the rabbit agrees. Other animals soon come along to ask the rabbit if they also can have a bit of fur. Other rabbits join. Soon an elephant comes along and also would like something fluffy. The rabbits are a bit overwhelmed by the elephant but do not want to let him down. So they ask for help. Other animals join and soon there is enough fur for the elephant's new warm fluffy bed. 


There are a couple of importatnt things going on with the storyline. The animals join together to help other animals. So, there is the message of kindness and helping others. There is also an implied message about reusing resources that might otherwise be thrown away (i.e. the fur). In addition, the passage is repeated multiple times while different animals approach the rabbit(s). This encourages literacy through repetition and memorization of naturalized dialogue.


All and all, this is a unique story that is beautifully illustrated with soft gradients which give the pages a glowing ethereal quality. This (originally Japanese) book really is special. For me, this is one of many don't miss books. Unfortunately, I do not know if there is an English translation yet.