The fluffy futon

Toddler-Gr 1--Kasano offers a buoyant, sun-warmed invitation to rest in this cozy cumulative tale from Japan. On a bright day, Grandma lays her freshly aired futon on the porch, its soft yellow surface practically radiating warmth. One by one, members of the household drift over: first a gray cat, then Grandma herself, followed by a hen with three chicks, a small boy and his dog, a goat, and, finally, a pig family. Each arrival brings a contagious yawn and a satisfying moment as bodies settle into the ever-more-crowded bed. The text is minimal and rhythmic, built on repetition that supports very young listeners while offering a reliably funny beat with each new addition. The illustrations, rendered in warm, textured tones that evoke colored pencil and watercolor wash, do much of the storytelling. The spreads balance gentle humor with expressive character design, culminating in a delightfully overstuffed tableau of animals and humans piled together in a scene that recalls the layered coziness of Audrey Wood's The Napping House. The setting--a traditional wooden porch framed by potted plants and sliding doors--grounds the story in a sense of place without overwhelming the simplicity of the narrative. Sound effects cue readers to linger on the communal nap before Grandma stretches and wakes, declaring the rest "lovely." Human characters appear light-skinned, with the animals depicted naturally. VERDICT A gentle, cozy pick for bedtime, and a welcome addition to collections seeking global picture book favorites.--Rose Garrett

In this Japanese import, a comfortable mattress provides a motley crew with a satisfying nap. A formidable grandma, in a blue apron and green cardigan, hair tied up in a practical bun, lays a futon out to dry in the sun. The sliding doors of her traditional Japanese home are open to let air and light in; a tatami-style room can be seen in the background, and sandals sit on a rock beside the porch. Animals lurk quietly in the corners of a page; a curly tail, a pair of yellow claws, and curved horns can be spotted. Soon after Grandma has set the futon down, a cat ambles in, lets out a huge yawn ("Yw-aahhn"), and falls asleep. Grandma sees the cozy kitty and follows suit; with a yawn and a "ploff!" she's snoozing, too. The foreshadowed menagerie slowly appears: a hen and her chicks, a dog, a little boy, a goat, a pig with piglets in tow. Soon a futon sized for one sleeper is filled with the snores of six different species. Grandma rolls over, stretching her arms, and the creatures disperse. It's nearly impossible to read this book without yawning; it recalls Audrey and Don Wood'sThe Napping House (1984), though with a far more sedate finale. Kasano's mood-perfect illustrations are a delight, in calm, organic hues with a slightly simplified illustration style that loosely echoes woodblock prints. A charming story with subtly fantastic illustrations.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.