Chirri & Chirra, Under the Sea
On their sixth adventure, Chirri and Chirra bicycle beneath the waves, discovering the beauty of coral and the deliciousness of marine edibles.
Chirri and Chirra are pedaling along when they find a cave. At the end of the tunnel, they see a light. Oh! They are under the sea! They pedal through a maze of color and pass through an opening in the seaweed, into a scene of seashells of all colors and shapes. Naturally, they come upon sea treats, such as parfait à la conch and marine soda jelly topped with pearl cream. This is the happy, lovely world of Chirri and Chirra, where they stumble on the most wonderful surprises.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Kaya Doi graduated with a degree in design from Tokyo Zokei University. She got her start in picture books by attending the Atosaki Juku Workshop, held at a Tokyo bookshop specializing in children's books. Since then she has created many picture books featuring her delicate color-pencil drawings. She lives in Chiba Prefecture and maintains a strong interest in environmental and animal welfare issues. Since the earthquake of 2011 she has been active in recovery and shelter efforts for abandoned pets.
David Boyd is Assistant Professor of Japanese at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His translations have appeared in Monkey Business International, Granta, and Words Without Borders, among other publications.
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"In Chirri & Chirra: Under the Sea (Enchanted Lion, 2020), a mysterious cave leads two girls on bicycles into a fantastical world. -Peddling along with a "dring dring," the bobbed, rosy-cheeked duo find coral mazes, seashell sofas, and an octopus waiter. An enjoyable installment in Kaya Doi's series." -World Magazine
"Chirri & Chirra is an utterly charming series of children's picture books...low on the angst scale and high on the charm meter. Doi is known for her softly styled drawings on rich creamy paper. She creates the illustrations in these books with colored pencils, pastels, and crayons, crafting them to give an old-world feel, a time of innocence and simplicity. The exquisite art radiates joy and has a dreamy quality to it that reflects how children imagine their ideal world to be. These delightful books are a welcome escape for young children from their anxieties." --International Examiner
★"Utterly charming."―STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
"...Doi's gauzy images revel in the details described. It's a delicious vision of the rewards of curiosity, exploration, and having the freedom to chase adventures wherever they lead."―Publishers Weekly
"Doi's books are completely unique. The two characters react to nature and the foods offered them with wonder and curiosity. There is no fear here, just adventure and joy."―Tasha Saecker, Waking Brain Cells
"A beautifully rendered portrayal of the magic of childhood." ―Miranda Rosbach, My Bookbloom
