Abstract

The third book in the picture book series starring Yuichi Kimura's beloved cats!

One day, Nonpi invites Dante to the lake.
However, Dante, who loves staying indoors, doesn't want to go outside at all.

"No way. I don't want to step a single foot outside."
"I get it. In that case, I have a great idea!"

Nonpi, determined to go together no matter what, comes up with a "great idea."
Before Dante realizes it, the lake gets closer and closer...?

Nonpi, the cat who energetically runs around outside every day, and Dante, the cat who has never stepped foot outside.
A lively and delightful slapstick comedy brought to you by two polar-opposite cats!

◆ Message from Yuichi Kimura
Nonpi and Dante were two actual cats who lived in my home.
When we got married, my cat Nonpi and my wife's cat Dante started living under one roof.
Dante, having always lived in an apartment, had never been outside, while Nonpi, born a stray, wanted to go outside for a walk every day.
What happens when two such cats live together?
They lived together quite amicably, maintaining a uniquely delicate distance.
Even though Nonpi was tiny, he was feisty—a real neighborhood bully who would chase around other local cats.
Dante, on the other hand, had never interacted with another cat before.
And yet, Nonpi, the tough guy outside, was helpless against Dante inside the house.
Dante would always chase Nonpi, and Nonpi could never win against him.
I had always wanted to turn this duo into a picture book someday, and today that dream has finally come true.
Please look forward to more stories featuring these two cats!

Author’s Information

Yuichi Kimura
Born in Tokyo. Graduated from Tama Art University. Picture book and children's story author. Active across a wide range of fields, including playwriting, comic writing, and novels, with over 1,000 published books both in Japan and abroad. His representative works include the One Stormy Night (Arashi no Yoru ni) series (Kodansha) and the Baby Play Picture Book series (Kaiseisha). He won the 26th Kodansha Publication Culture Award for Picture Books and the 42nd Sankei Children's Book Award JR Prize for One Stormy Night, as well as the 15th Japan Picture Book Award for King Wolf (Ookami no Ousama, Kaiseisha).

Shinobu Orito
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan University, worked as a systems engineer at an IT firm. Transferred to graphic design and went independent in 2019, beginning a career as an illustrator and designer. Involved in a wide range of illustration work, including children's magazine illustrations, educational material art, and cover artwork for Jiro Akagawa's Bride (Hanayome) series (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha). Also active as a picture book creator, with works including Moyamoya Suru no wa Uso no Sei? (Shonen Shashin Shinbunsha) and Taisetsu na Fuku (NICOMO).