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What I’m Doing at Kirkus This Week,
Plus What I Did Last Week, Featuring Komako Sakai

h1 March 24th, 2017 by jules


“When she held the kitten, its tummy moved in and out and it purred deep in its throat. ‘Even though it’s so tiny,’ Hina said, ‘it’s alive.’ The kitten gave a little mew,
as if saying goodbye to its mother.”
— From Lee’s The Lost Kitten, illustrated by Komako Sakai
(Click to enlarge)


 


— From Kimiko Aman’s The Fox Wish,
illustrated by Komako Sakai


 

This morning over at Kirkus, I’ve got the ladies on the mind. That is here.

* * *

Last week, I wrote here about two new illustrated books from Komako Sakai — Kimiko Aman’s The Fox Wish (Chronicle, March 2017) and Lee’s The Lost Kitten (Gecko, April 2017). I’m following up today with art from each book.

Enjoy!



 

From The Fox Wish:


 


(Click to see spread in its entirety)


 


“‘Your name is Roxie?’ I asked. …”
(Click to enlarge spread)


 



(Click either image to see spread in its entirety)


 



 

From The Lost Kitten:


 


“When Hina and her mother opened the door, there was a skinny, scruffy kitten. …”
(Click to enlarge)


 


“‘Can I touch it?’ ‘Yes. Gently though.'”
(Click to enlarge)


 


“Hina brought it inside. It looked around and sniffed. Hina’s mother gave it some milk. The kitten lapped it up with its little tongue.”
(Click to enlarge)


 


“While she was gone, Hina thought up names for the kitten. …”
(Click to enlarge)


 


* * * * * * *

THE FOX WISH. Originally published in Japan in 2003 by POPLAR Publishing Co., Ltd., Tokyo. Text copyright © 2003 by Kimiko Aman. Illustrations copyright © 2003 by Komako Sakai. Illustrations reproduced by the publisher of the English edition, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

THE LOST KITTEN. Original edition published in Japan by Bronze Publishing, Inc., Tokyo, © 2015 LEE, Komako Sakai. English language edition © Gecko Press Ltd 2017. Illustrations reproduced by permission of Gecko Press.





2 comments to “What I’m Doing at Kirkus This Week,
Plus What I Did Last Week, Featuring Komako Sakai”

  1. Oh, these illustrations are so pretty!

         by Dow Phumiruk March 24th, 2017 at 7:55 am

  2. Joy and tears. That’s what Komako Sakai’s work brings. There is a spiritual element to her work. It goes right through me. Love her books! Thank you for this post!

         by Sarah Sullivan March 25th, 2017 at 8:30 am

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