Kai and the Kappas
About
In this modern twist on Japanese folklore, Kai’s love for storytelling creates suspense and a lesson he’ll never forget.
Kai loves sharing spooky stories about mythical creatures with the children in his village, just as his grandmother once did for him. But when his wild imagination begins to blur the line between reality and fiction, he angers the grown-ups in his village. Suddenly, Kai comes face-to-face with a mischievous Kappa—a legendary creature straight out of his own stories. With no one to help, Kai must outwit the Kappa using the lessons hidden in the books he knows so well.
Or is this just another story in the making?
With its spooky storytelling and a touch of mystery, Kai and the Kappas is perfect for fans of Jon Klassen, Brothers Grimm, Júlia Sardà and readers who love folklore-inspired adventures.
The illustrations in Kai and the Kappas blend digital art with hand-drawn and scanned text and textures woven into the scenes. With this mix of traditional and digital media, this book takes a stance against AI-generated imagery, celebrating the timeless art of human creativity.
A book for kids 6-9 years—and the ones buying it for them: “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” (C.S. Lewis)
Praise for this book
Gamarra (author of How to Grow a Marshmallow Tree), fortunately, handles tones and feelings in storytelling more deftly than Kai does. Readers will enjoy how, despite this disappointing reception, Kai continues to delight in his world of make-believe, getting a kick out of running into town shouting, "A kappa is here to take me away!" After a while, everyone stops listening—and that's when Kai gets a thrilling surprise that will test his cleverness and blur the line between fantasy and reality. Cleverly, Gamarra doesn't belabor whether Kai's riverside encounter with a kappa was actually "real," which will encourage kids to ask questions and come to their own conclusions.
Marta Pilosio's distinctive illustrations offer a thrilling glimpse into Kai's old-timey world, with the children wearing simple, practical clothing and the adults shown holding farming implements and loaves of bread. The pictures utilize mostly muted tones of gray, blue, and brown, giving the ethereal sense that Willow Creek is similar to—yet distinct from—contemporary life. The children's faces are curious and expressive, while the adults are often shown scowling while going about their work. Ultimately, this captivating tale encourages kids and grownups to put aside their chores and revel in their imaginations.
Takeaway: Lively modern fairy tale of the excitement and power of storytelling.