Abstract

Why is the longing for spring both so heartbreaking and deeply comforting?
This picture book gently and quietly addresses universal themes of "the cycle of life" and "farewell and rebirth" against the backdrop of the changing seasons from winter to spring.

The protagonist is Yuki, a pure white cat created by winter fairies. Born of snow, Yuki becomes deeply fascinated by the yet-unseen season called "Spring" after meeting a little bird. A world filled with color and warmth—this longing, however, also means confronting an inevitable fate.

This picture book does not present "death" or "farewell" as something frightening. Throughout the entire story, there is a quiet perspective that encourages us to rethink disappearing and losing as not an ending, but a continuation in a transformed shape. Just as snow melts, returns to the earth, and is passed on to the next season, life too moves in cycles—a feeling that naturally emerges from the space between the words and artwork.

The author is Satoe Tone, an internationally acclaimed picture book artist based in both Italy and Japan. Known for her delicate sense of color, her signature use of "blue" plays a vital role in this book as well. Born out of an honest exploration of the question, "Is it scary to die?", this book does not force us to quickly overcome sadness, but rather sits softly beside us, offering time to reflect.

Even within sadness, there is certainly hope.
For anyone who wishes to gently think about or share the concepts of life and death, this work will leave a quiet, lasting resonance in their heart.

Author’s Information

Born in Fukui Prefecture. Picture book author and illustrator. In 2010, she was discovered by an Italian editor and made her debut the following year with I Can Do It! (“Questo posso farlo,” published by NHK Publishing). After spending about 12 years based in Milan, she currently creates her works split between Japan and Italy. She was selected for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition in 2012 and 2013, and won the International Award for Illustration in 2013. Pipo’s Journey (“El viaje de PIPO,” published by NHK Publishing), based on her award-winning work, was her debut book in Japan. Her major publications include Mocha and the Coffee of Happiness (NHK Publishing) and Nezu-kun and Mama’s Big Fight (Gakken), among others. (As of January 2026)