Review: Yumi

Kokeshis are little wooden Japanese dolls with large round heads and simple features. Yumi is a fun and adventurous Kokeshi who invites readers to follow her and learn about the world of Kokeshis and Japan, sharing her favourite things and a scattering of Japanese words. Yumi introduces her best friend Sakumi and prepares for a fancy dress party at Kimi’s before ending the day at the dream garden.
With a very simple story, minimal text and some interactive ‘seek and find’ style activities on some pages, these books are designed with younger readers in mind. With beautiful illustrations including Japanese-style prints and details, Yumi will no doubt also appeal to girls as they grow older. Readers up to tween years could continue to find the books visually appealing, particularly if they have an interest in Kokeshi dolls or similar Japanese ornaments or decorations.

I’m quite a way outside the target demographic for these books, but I confess I was quite enthralled as I turned the pages. With peep holes, flaps and fold-out pages, each new page offers something different to the last and the prints and details are just exquisite. I particularly love the kites blowing in the cherry-blossom breeze.

This book would be lovely as a ‘special’ book gift for a young girl or for an older girl with an interest in Kokeshi dolls.

Title: Yumi (Kokeshi Doll series)
Author: Annelore Parot 
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $24.95 
Publication Date: 1 June 2010
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781921690358
For ages: 6+
Type: Picture book