The Last Kappa of Old Japan Bilingual English & Japanese Edition - by Sunny Seki (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

With unique and playful illustrations this multicultural children's book is a classic Japanese fairy tale that young children and parents alike will love.

The Last Kappa of Old Japan is a warmly written and beautifully illustrated bilingual Japanese children's book that introduces many aspects of traditional Japanese culture and folklore while teaching an important lesson about environmentalism. The story is of a young Japanese farm boy who develops a friendship with a mythical creature-- the kappa--a messenger of the god of water. The tale begins in post-Modern Japan when the boy is young, and the kappa is healthy and ends when the kappa, now the last one left on Earth, keeps an important promise to his human friend.

A story of love, friendship, and adventure, readers of all ages will enjoy this picture book by award-winning author/illustrator, Sunny Seki. This bilingual edition includes Japanese text alongside the English, making it a great way for kids to learn Japanese.

Review Quotes

"...a beautifully scripted and illustrated story of love, friendship, and adventure that includes Japanese text alongside the English translation, making it a great way for kids to learn Japanese." --Midwest Book Review

"A cautionary tale about protecting the environment, and having the courage to help our friends despite the danger to ourselves. (As a side note, the myth of the kappa is actually the origin of our modern story of mutant ninja turtles!)" --AllDoneMonkey.com

"The illustrations are beautiful, engaging and ever so detailed! There is a really good balance of description vs. dialogue in this book..." --MissJennysClassroom.com

"The illustrations, mostly bordered rectangles set against handmade paper, combine elements of Japanese wood-carved prints with cartoonlike faces and great detail, showing both traditional agricultural scenes and industrialization." --Kirkus

"The kappa, translated 'river child, ' are believed to be messengers of the god of water and have been part of Japanese folklore for hundreds of years." --California Kids! Family Fun Guide

"This engaging tale offers an easy-to-understand environmental lesson along with an accessible introduction to Japanese folklore and culture for young readers." --School Library Journal

"This is a wonderful book filled with interesting illustrations and an important message embedded in a lovely story. It can be used as a bridge to talking with children about how they can help the water clean, as well as the environment as a whole." --Castle View Academy blog

"This is a Japanese 'Lorax' folk tale with a cautionary message about taking care of our earth!" --PragmaticMom.com blog

About the Author

Sunny Seki received a BA photography in his native Japan and studied illustration at Pasadena Art Center College of Design. He is the author and illustrator of the award-winning books The Tale of the Lucky Cat and Yuko-Chan and the Daruma Doll. Sunny leads a Japanese poetry senryu group and spends much time retelling and illustrating Japanese folk tales.