In this surreal and poetic collection of short vignettes, we are invited into the quietly magical world of Sato the Rabbit―a world that mirrors our own, yet shimmers with wonder, curiosity, and transformation. “One day, Haneru Sato became a rabbit. He’s been a rabbit ever since.” With these matter-of-fact yet dreamlike opening lines, the story unfolds into a series of gentle adventures where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. In Sato’s world, a puddle reflecting the sky becomes a window to another realm. A walnut cracks open to reveal a cozy home, complete with a bathtub and bed. During a meteor shower, Sato catches falling stars in a net, lighting the way for a family’s nighttime walk. Rendered in soft watercolors and spare prose, these stories celebrate imagination, solitude, and the quiet magic of everyday life. Sato the Rabbit is the first in a beloved series from Japan that invites readers of all ages to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the world through new eyes. Honors and Recognition: A Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book - A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year - A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the Year - A 100 Scope Notes Most Astonishingly Unconventional Book of the Year - A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year The Sato the Rabbit books: Sato the Rabbit - Sato the Rabbit, The Moon - Sato the Rabbit, A Sea of Time - Sato the Rabbit, Morning Light "A child's vivid imagination transforms everyday activities into magical interactions. Similarly charming artwork illustrates the interconnectedness among nature, children, and creativity in six other episodic expeditions featuring distinct themes...alongside Sato, readers travel through the seasons while sharing his myriad, surprising lenses on the universe. The journey culminates in a homecoming when Sato settles into bed, cozily "sipping stories late into the night." The painterly illustrations suggest homage to Where the Wild Things Are, works by Eric Carle, and others. Sweet, surreal, and contemplative." --Kirkus "Each story starts with Sato doing a more or less normal activity. He does laundry. He eats watermelon. He cracks open walnuts. He goes for a walk to an observatory. And then each story takes a turn and Sato has a fantastical, almost-poetic, experience. He catches stars, he rides a watermelon, he opens a puddle to find a window to the sky. The illustrations with their saturated colors and fun details enhance the poetic feel. Sato swims in the bright teal sea next to his hot pink watermelon boat. He wears a bathing suit that matches the green striped rind; a whale spouts in the distance. This is a world that I would love to step into where the forest ice is full of feelings and colors and stories. A beautiful world for young readers." --Jackie Friedman Mighdoll, World Kid Lit "Sato...walks upright through a natural world reminiscent of the Chirri & Chirra series--one that offers enchanting and sometimes droll revelations. He waters his garden, and a spread traces the water along a twisting, turning course through the forest back to its source, a pond that, in Blaskowsky's natural-sounding translation, "is blowing water into the hose as hard as it can." Each episode is over in a few pages, and every one offers kaleidoscopic, pleasingly sensorial images made for dreaming on." --STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly "A surreal symphony of vibrant colors and images, Sato the Rabbit is a whimsical trilogy of picture books for readers age 4-8... All three books in Sato the Rabbit are a satisfying ode to the deep power--and beauty--of the imagination." --Nanette McGuiness, World Kid Lit A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of 2022 A 2022 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book "In seven short imaginative tales, Sato's imagination transforms the details of ordinary life into fanciful antics that embrace and enhance the natural world." --American Library Association"Gentle lighthearted humor throughout the text delights the reader and endears them to the imaginative and ingenious Sato." --Dr. Marie A. Lejeune, 2022 Batchelder Chair A 2021 Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2021 "In a set of seven small vignettes that span the seasons, Sato's daily activities -- watering the garden, doing the laundry, splashing in puddles -- turn into magic. Cracking open a walnut reveals an inviting miniature world. Eating a watermelon turns into a seafaring adventure. ("Nothing compares to eating watermelon on the sea.") Observing a meteor shower leads to a star-collection mission. Paintings in a naive style burst with saturated color -- watermelon red, night-sky blue, spring chartreuse. For fans of Doi's Chirri & Chirra books, this import provides another cozy glimpse into mystery, independence, and imaginative play. " --STARRED REVIEW, The Horn Book A 100 Scope Notes Most Astonishingly Unconventional Book of 2021 "Enchanted Lion is a publisher who appreciates the unconventional side of children's lite