Abstract

The dog Sesse is impatient and hasty. The monkey Yokkora is calm and tends to find things troublesome.The two of them explore a cave made out of futon cushions! This work, which exquisitely blends realism and fantasy, is based on the author’s actual childhood experience.
“Hey! It’s pitch dark in here, and I can’t see a thing! Help!” I could be heard saying this to myself when I was young every night when I got into bed and the lights went out. It was set either on a battlefield or on a boat. Usually, I was the one placed in a life-or-death situation as the story began. The usual pattern was that I would just barely escape danger and be saved by using everything at my disposal any way I could. I mean, I was in charge of everything from the original story through to directing, producing, starring, as well as controlling the extras and the sound effects, so there was no way that I would not be saved. But it was so much fun… I had wanted to draw a picture book based on these ‘nighttime monologue games’ at some point, and it has finally taken shape. (Nao Takabatake)

Author’s Information

Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1978. Accepted into the 4th Pinpoint Picture Books Competition. Received an honorable mention in the 25th Kodansha Picture Book Newcomer Awards. Debuted with Boku Watashi (Ehonkan). Works include Cheetah Dai Sale, Dekkori Bokkori (the aforementioned published through Ehonkan), Omakase Tour (Rironsha), Banana Jiken (BL Shuppan), and many more. Won the 19th Japan Picture Book Award (2014) for Kaeru no Odekake (Froebel-Kan). Also considered the most likely candidate to become the next representative nonsense picture book author following the passing of Shinta Cho.