The crayon/ pastel illustrations in gentle, saturated colors on delicious creamy paper are reminiscent of Marie Hall Ets in In the Forest. Creatures of all sizes are accommodated, with tiny teacups for honeybees to drink their sweet violet tea and hotel rooms suitable for all travelers, from lizards to bears. Adult humans are completely absent, which leaves room for the fox waiter, the raccoon baker, the pig flautist, and all the other animals of this peaceable kingdom. Amenities appear just when they need them: the forest café and the bakery, the bridge over the stream, the tree (perfect for napping under), and, finally, the forest hotel, where an animal symphony concert takes place. Chirri and her sister Chirra go on a day-long bike ride through a gently rolling pastoral world. ★''What a perfect day, ' says Chirri as this story begins, and she's right. 'Vibrant, lively, and astonishingly sweet in a pure, unsentimental way, these pages present us with relatable children, small animals, lots of food, atmosphere, and many mysteries.'-Indigo Bridge Books & Cafe These delightful books are a welcome escape for young children from their anxieties.' -International Examiner

The exquisite art radiates joy and has a dreamy quality to it that reflects how children imagine their ideal world to be. She creates the illustrations in these books with colored pencils, pastels, and crayons, crafting them to give an old-world feel, a time of innocence and simplicity. Doi is known for her softly styled drawings on rich creamy paper.

'Chirri & Chirra is an utterly charming series of children's picture books.low on the angst scale and high on the charm meter. Since the earthquake of 2011 she has been active in recovery and shelter efforts for abandoned pets. She now lives in Chiba Prefecture and maintains a strong interest in environmental and animal welfare issues. Since then she has produced numerous picture books featuring her softly styled, color-pencil drawings. She got her start in picture books by attending the Atosaki Juku Workshop, held at a Tokyo bookshop specializing in picture books. Vibrant, lively, and astonishingly sweet in a pure, unsentimental way, these pages present us with relatable children, small animals, lots of food, atmosphere, and many mysteries.īorn in Tokyo, Japan, Kaya Doi graduated with a degree in design from Tokyo Zokei University. The first book in a completely charming series by a well-known Japanese author and illustrator, Chirri & Chirra introduces two girl characters who go on wonderful adventures together through the natural world. About the Book The first in a wonderfully imaginative series about two girls that is marked by revealing and lyrical small details.

Chirri & Chirra by Kaya Doi