7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #651: Featuring Kaya Doi

h1 August 18th, 2019 by jules


“Dring-dring, dring-dring! They hop aboard a boat and …”


 

Here’s a quick post to share some art from the fourth book in the Chirri & Chirra series from Japanese author-illustrator Kaya Doi. Chirri & Chirra Underground (Enchanted Lion, July 2019), translated from the Japanese by David Boyd, features the same inquisitive twins of the first three books, but in this new addition to the series they journey under the earth.

Chirri and Chirra, identical twins, are enjoying afternoon tea in their comfy home when they hear a noise downstairs, head down there to investigate, see a hole in the wall, and see that “something is scurrying inside!” They hop on their bicycles (“Dring-dring, dring-dring!”) to follow the creature, heading along a tunnel of roots until they see a light. At the end of that light is an underground peanut farm. After cycling the tunnel further, they come upon an underground flower garden. At each stop, they pause to explore and then continue on their journey — and at each spot they see unexpected delights and a host of friendly creatures. They bike under a vegetable garden, follow a family of badgers to an underground lake, and eventually feast with them.

Doi’s detailed, velvety illustrations create a vivid and cozy world, something to which fans of the series will already be familiar. The page turns in this horizontally oriented book are compelling, as readers follow along to see where the tunnels will take Chirri and Chirra next. It’s another truly delightful book in the series, perfect for young readers. Here are some spreads so that the art can do the talking. …

 


“It’s an underground flower garden
with flowers of all colors and shapes.”

(Click to enlarge spread)


 


“Dring-dring, dring-dring!
The next tunnel brings them under a vegetable garden.”


 


“It’s an underground lake with
little boats of all colors and shapes.”

(Click to enlarge spread)


 



 



 


Back endpapers
(Click to enlarge)


 


(Click to enlarge cover)


 

CHIRRI & CHIRRA UNDERGROUND. Text and illustrations copyright © 2013 by Kaya Doi. Illustrations reproduced by permission of the publisher, Enchanted Lion Books, Brooklyn.

Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.

* * * Jules’ Kicks * * *

I fully intended to kick in a very seven kind of way today, but I’ve spent the day helping my husband clean out my mother-in-law’s home — or at least we got started and made a tiny dent in things. She passed away last week, and we have a lot of stuff to go through.

So, I’m. worn. out. I do, however, want to hear about your week, so do tell me …

What are YOUR kicks this week? Dring-dring.





10 comments to “7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #651: Featuring Kaya Doi”

  1. Jules, thanks for sharing a book with detailed, fun illustrations. I’m sure kids will spend hours on the illustrations.

    Jules, I’m sorry to hear of your mother in law’s passing. Cleaning out a house holds memories and treasures. And that makes one tired. Hugs.

    My kicks over the past 2 weeks:
    1. Time with family at the coast.
    2. Reading.
    3. Bookstore visit at fave place at the coast.
    4. Writing projects.
    5. Photos and poems turned into the state fair.
    6. Time with friends.
    7. Farmer markets.
    Have a great week.


  2. Good morning, Imps! Hello, Chirri and Chirra and Kaya and the badgers!

    Jules: Sending your family comfort.

    Jone: Good luck at the fair!

    My kicks:
    1) Expressed
    2) Communicated
    3) Clarified
    4) Confirmed
    5) Balanced
    6) Reinforced
    7) Chosen


  3. Jone, I like how you’re doin’ up retirement. Bookstores. Family. Poetry. You’re living the good life.

    Little Willow, your kicks are making me feel relaxed, and congrats on the last one, whatever it was you were chosen for. p.s. We finished season two of Dark. WHUT.


  4. Thank you Jules for sharing this delightful book. I need to find it and the previous titles.

    I am sending you and your family comfort. It’s never easy to say goodbye to a parent and their possessions.

    I, too, wish you luck at the fair Jone.

    I really focused on your kick balanced, Little Willow. I have been working on that a lot lately.

    My kicks:
    1. Summer breezes
    2. Planting two redbud trees and more lavender
    3. Switching out flower containers to reflect the coming autumn
    4. Rain
    5. Finding the perfect rocks for building my rock garden (It’s going to take months to complete.)
    6. New to me YA series by Kerri Maniscalco
    7. Walking, playing and cuddling with Mulan.

    Wishing everyone a super week.


  5. Jules: Re: Dark: Right?? RIGHT??

    Margie: Balance is so important, isn’t it?


  6. Such cheerful fun and incredibly detailed illustrations!

    Jules – that going through things can be so exhausting, hope you are getting some downtime.

    Jone – good luck at the fair! Yay for Farmers markets.

    Little Willow – love all your kicks, but especially 1-4.

    Margie – hi to Mulan. Hooray for plantings and summer breezes and rain.

    My kicks this week:
    1) getting to see Mark Cohn and the Blind Boys of Alabama at my first and only zoo concert this summer.
    2) Fun with an old friend.
    3) Daisy enjoying her birthday and gotcha day weekend.
    4) Daisy’s therapy team joining in the celebration fun today.
    5) Cupcakes for the humans, dog cake for the dogs.
    6) Facetiming my nephews and them wanting to talk to Daisy.
    7) Making plans for the future.
    7.5) Daisy getting some more twitter fame for #Cleartheshelters day – hopefully even more pups and kittens will find their forever homes.

    Have a great week everyone!


  7. Margie, where will your rock garden be? I love that idea. Will it be the front of your house?

    Rachel, happy birthday to Daisy! DOG CAKE. !! What exactly is it made of?

    And your first kick sounds so fun.

    Have a good week, you all!


  8. Hello Jules~ The rock garden is indeed in front of the house but off to the side. It’s behind my mailbox along the road going up a hill. I think I posted a picture on Instagram and FB.

    Rachel: So happy Daisy had a super birthday.


  9. Margie – thanks, she definitely got spoiled (more than she usually is, because she is spoiled every day.)

    Jules – dog cake is super easy – I used to make it for Cheyenne and Caloi, and my other pups. Basically its 3 cups of flour, 6 eggs, 1 TBSP baking powder, chicken flavored baby food, 2 cups shredded carrots, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1 stick of butter. Bake for an hour and its done. Dogs love it.


  10. Margie, I will look for a photo!

    Rachel: Well, I never. I’ve not ever heard of that. The more you know …


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