Little Shrew

Ages 5 to 8

Akiko Miyakoshi returns with a beguiling, quietly magical appreciation of life’s little pleasures. Little Shrew is diligent in all parts of life. He’s a hard worker and follows a strict schedule from morning to night. But even a life that runs like clockwork can be filled with unexpected pockets of joy, such as solving a puzzle for the very first time, enjoying the scent of freshly baked bread, seeing the vast beauty of a shimmering blue ocean or delighting in a visit with friends. This collection of three short stories — perfect for emerging readers — is illustrated in Miyakoshi’s signature soft monochrome palette with pops of color. The charming tales celebrate enduring friendships, dreams for the future and the little pleasures that make everyday life more meaningful.

About the Author

Akiko Miyakoshi is the award-winning creator of several books for young readers that have been translated around the world. The Way Home in the Night won the 2017 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book Award and a 2016 BolognaRagazzi Award Special Mention, and The Tea Party in the Woods was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2015. The Storm, her first children's book, won the Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix. Akiko lives, writes, draws and dreams at the foot of beautiful mountains in Japan.