Nontan Oyasuminasai by Sachiko Kiyono

Nontan Oyasuminasai by Sachiko Kiyono

First published in Japan in August 1976 under the title "Nontan Oyasuminasai" by Kaisei-Sha Publishing Co., Ltd.; Chinese translation rights arranged with Kaisei-Sha publishing Co., Ltd. through Japan Foreign Rights Center

Nontan Let's Play Series

32 pages
ISBN 957-762-291-7

Ages 2 and up

No author website.

Nontan has difficulties sleeping. One night he befriends an owl and plays until he becomes sleepy and returns home to take a bath and fall asleep. 

 This book is from the popular bestselling picture book series "Nontan Asoboyo" (Let's Play Together, Nontan) made for younger children. The protagonist of the series is a mischievous kitten named Nontan who confronts/ introduces everyday things that happen in daily life. In this book, Nontan can't sleep. The first page depicts the poor Nontan sitting up in bed staring at the viewing with a blank frown. He is unhappy and awake. A star shines in the window. The clock on the wall shows that it is just past 8:30. Past the 'ordinary' bedtime. The next page is has a smile and is walking outside under stars and a comet. He seeks out his friends (three pink bunnies, two birds, and a bear) and finds them all asleep. He crys out and meets an owl who is also wide awake. They folic in the forest. Nontan leaves wet and muddy and returns home to have a bubble bath and finally falls asleep. The clock reports the reasonable time as 9:30; which is still an okay bedtime. Interestingly, this is an independent cat who baths and puts himself to bed. There are no parental reminders.  

Each page has readable text and guessable illustrations. Text is typically limited to a couple of lines a page and has a nice rhythm which will appeal to young children. The guessable pictures are plain, flat, brights, and clearly communicate the storyline. Nontan is captured mid-step with his foot in the air and eyes aimed at his destination. In addition, Nontan and the other characters facial expressions will give a young child insight into emotional cues. The book is also illustrated in the cute and popular Japanese style which will expand a child's visual literacy. (Different manners of portraying things). 

There is no deep meaning to these books. They are simple and entertaining. Children will enjoy the rhythm and illustrations and learn some basic life lessons. A good book for a story time; public or private.