Balloon Cat by Keiko Sena
My rating: 5/5 cats
one more book gifted to me by the eminent japanese-language scholar brian, so excellently translated for readers like me who cannot read other languages so hot.
and it’s yet another children’s picture book that ends abruptly and horribly. there’s not much to it, really. the whole thing is pretty much based on punning wordplay, and the story itself is negligible.
basically, it’s about a cat whose temper tantrums lead him to a tragic end. i’m assuming. the book cuts off in the middle of the peril, but there’s no way it can end well. don’t have tantrums, kids!
this wordplay is the impetus for the entire story:
this cranky little cat says “pu” A LOT.
etc etc etc
and each time he says, “pu,” his head inflates a little bit more:
until he floats right off into the sky
on the last page, night has fallen, and the sky is empty except for the moon, while his mother sits on the rooftop, calling his name.
AND THEN IT ENDS, with balloon cat god only knows where, and his mother not knowing where her child is, presumably never seeing him again.
night night, kiddies!
what a bleak little story for children!
and of course, while reading this, i could not get this song out of my head, so you should put it in your head, too.
here are the three other reviews i have written for books brian has so thoughtfully and hilariously translated for me. and i still have one to go!:
brian is the best!
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