Review: Yumi

Before even opening this book you just have to take a moment to delight in the detail that has gone into this cover. It is padded with the super cute picture of Yumi stitched onto the cover. Stunning. I have a thing for end pages too and these do not disappoint with fun circle images of Yumi and her friends.

The gorgeous high gloss paper, intricate cut-outs, fold outs and trimmed pages are a wonderful partnership with this lovely introduction into Yumi’s world.

Interspersed with the English text are Japanese words throughout and would serve as a gentle introduction to Japan and its culture.

Yumi is a Kokeshi. A little wooden doll with a round head and pretty clothes. She is an impeccable host as she shows you around her world.

Yumi also invites you to interact by helping her match her fan by its pattern, find her best friend who is wearing the same belt as Yumi, help Sakumi, Yumi’s best friend, find her lost pet. After all that they then  go to a costume party where you help them find their costumes.

Then after such a big night, Yumi and her friends go to sleep. You can tuck Yumi in on the last page in a little fold out.

This is what a great picture book looks like.


Title: Yumi
Author: Annelore Parot
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $24.95 RRP
Publication Date: June 2010
Format: Padded Hardback
ISBN: 9781921690358
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book