All in a year by Chihiro Takeuchi

A wonderful book which reflects the whole year as Takeuchi shows what happens  to a family and their friends over the course of one year. The family has moved from their apartment building into their new home and over the year, many of their friends come and visit them. In the middle of each double page we see the family in their new home, surrounded by people in the street, while at the side of each double page is a more intimate look at the family and what they are doing together.

Readers start with the snow as the New Year comes around, and we see snow covered buildings, and people in the foregoround warmly wrapped building snowmen, or taking snow from the grooves and the family on the right hand side of the page celebrating the New Year with a special treat. Young readers will love looking at the detail given as each part of the new year progresses, marvelling at the skill of the cut out artist, Takeuchi. New Year means winter takes hold as the snow still lies about. But spring is just around the corner, as flowers can be seen. Cherry blossom bursts open as the season changes again. Cherry blossom brings great excitement and people begin to stay outdoors. And then the flags unfurl for Children’s Day. Rain does not deter their neighbours from visiting. Summer has arrived and people in the streets can be seen dressed for warmer weather. The family goes to the beach and take in the splendour of the Summer Festival. Back home, the moon is a large ball in the sky, and the family prepares mochi. Soon it is Halloween and the children dress up for Trick or Treat. The weather begins to get cooler and the family is invited to a wedding in the neighbourhood park. Snow falls to complete the year in which much has happened. Children will love seeing the things the family does, and follow people shown in the foreground throughout the whole year. The book is an absolute delight showing families and their activities over twelve months. And readers will marvel at the skill needed to create such a book.

Chihiro Takeuchi is a renowned paper cut artist living in Osaka, Japan. In 2015 and 2016 Chihiro was part of a select group of artists to exhibit at the prestigious Bologna Book Fair. She has produced several books with Berbay including Whose Bones? and the successful board books Colours and Animals.

Photos of Chiro at work can be see on her website.

Themes: Change, Family, Relationships, Paper work, Japan.

Fran Knight