Chirri & Chirra, The Rainy Day Kaya Doi 9781592703074

As is each of their adventures, this one is completely magical and full of wonder. It is also set in a world where, as if by magic (though perhaps it's the force of the creative imagination?), they always find what they need. Pedaling along, they discover a shop. What luck! The sign says it's only open on rainy days. How perfect. Chirri & Chirra order tea. Each is served tea with a bowl of sweet ice rocks. It's a shop for watching the rain while drinking tea! Later, when they feel as if they're floating, they discover that the rain is falling up, from below. They are sailing along on nothing less than upside down rain. And what do they discover in the upside-down rain? A happy scene, of course. Because their world is one of harmony, peace, lightness, and discovery. It is a vision of what life on earth--if we gave love and respect to all humans, animals, and the natural world--might be.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Kaya Doi graduated with a degree in design from Tokyo Zokei University. She got her start in picture books by attending the Atosaki Juku Workshop, held at a Tokyo bookshop specializing in children's books. Since then she has created many picture books featuring her delicate color-pencil drawings. She lives in Chiba Prefecture and maintains a strong interest in environmental and animal welfare issues. Since the earthquake of 2011 she has been active in recovery and shelter efforts for abandoned pets.

David Boyd is assistant professor of Japanese at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His translations have appeared in Monkey Business International, Granta, and Words Without Borders, among other publications.

"It'll take more than rain to dampen the moods of indefatigable bicyclists Chirri and Chirra. Of course, their ride in the rain is far from a slog. Shortly after the drops begin to fall, they happen upon a shop that is 'only open on rainy days.' After some tea, each buys a raincoat, and they set back out on a trip that only turns more magical: The rain starts 'falling from below,' stopping at the bottoms of their wheels and lifting them up to treetop level. Doi's trademark illustrations, made with colored pencils to evoke the look of mid-20th-century lithographs, depict the protagonists with pale skin, rosy cheeks, and black pageboys. They cycle ever to the right across the spreads, which take advantage of the book's unusual trim size to open to a 6.5-inch-tall by 18-inch-wide panorama that's somehow both cozy and expansive. Another delightful outing in this winsome Japanese series." - Kirkus Reviews

"The arrival of a new Chirri & Chirra book is always a treat for those of us fond of deliciously illustrated tableaux in the books we read with children... The joy of these books lies in the pure enchantment that they offer to children ages 2-8. There is no snark, no cynicism, no deceit or retribution in Chirri and Chirra's world. All is kindness, softness, curiosity and good fortune. The two adventurers are forever coming upon dear little cafes and hotels run by friendly animals; each book finds them tucking into exquisite and surprising dainties. On this excursion, for instance, Chirri and Chirra take refreshment at a tiny woodland shop that's only open on rainy days, [ordering] 'chrysanthemum tea with lemon marmalade,' peppermint tea with green-apple syrup,' [and] 'bowls of frozen raindrop candy,' we read, devouring these delicacies with our eyes... When the friends-or siblings, it's not clear-pedal away again, they feel a bit floaty and soon discover that they're cycling above the rain, which falls beneath their wheels like a pretty blue curtain. How to get down at the end of the day? By blowing bubbles after eating 'ripe and sparkling' gumdrops, of course." - Wall Street Journal

"Two little identical girls (sisters? besties?) have an epic bicycle journey of the imagination. It's a cloudy day and Chirri and Chirra decide to go for a ride. The sound of their bicycle bells-'Dring-dring, dring-dring!'-is the signal that their adventure begins... The colored pencil art creates a softly glowing, magical landscape of friendly animals and sweet treats. It's a small book, longer than it is wide, which allows panoramic views of the little girls on their bikes traversing the terrain of their imagination. It's a sweet, gentle story where kindness abounds. This Japanese import is seventh in a winning series, and I have loved each one. For readers who enjoy gentle, cozy forays of the imagination." -STARRED REVIEW, Stephanie Tournas (Robbins Library) for Youth Services Book Review