The author regales readers with memories from Broderick's childhood in rural Japan 50 years ago. Two spreads per month describe activities such as the New Year celebrations in January, and feature felines rather than humans in the illustrations. The pictures for November shows how to set up a futon and keep warm while sleeping on it and explains the traditions involved in Inoko Matsuri, a celebration of children's good health and prosperity and in Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) a festival celebrating girls who are seven, boys who are five, and boys and girls who are three. Soft, appealing, cartoon illustrations of the cuddly, expressive cats dressed in traditional Japanese clothing are full of detail and humor.

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

48 Pages