The Moon
(Sato the Rabbit #2)

The artwork pops with color and texture and depicts beautiful, dreamlike vistas. Sato endears himself to readers; he is inquisitive, clever, and generous. (It’s thanks to him that his friends get to visit the “rain-column ballroom.”) A welcome return. (Picture book. 4-10).

Copyright 2021 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 1-4-Haneru Sato, the most imaginative Japanese boy in a bunny suit to ever grace the page, returns. And who better to guide readers along a journey of absolute imagination? In a series of short stories, Sato explores nature and finds fantastic things. In "The Green Screw," he twists a tender green sprout until a blooming forest rises up around him. "Falling Rain" sees Sato tie together the falling rain with ribbons and use the curtains of rainwater as drapery in a ballroom. And in "Fallen Leaves," he rolls up leaves as if they are a red carpet and unfurls it at a wedding. The artwork is colorful and varied; the moon is especially beautiful, shining brightly in a buttery, warm yellow glow. Paired with the illustrations is succinct, crisp text. The language sparkles when onomatopoeia is employed. Each story ends with a little bunny emoji, a minute detail that adds to an already charming presentation. VERDICT In Sato's world, it's not that nothing is what it seems; instead, everything is exactly what it seems to be when viewed from his unique perspective. A beautiful addition to all collections.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.