With wisdom, humor and compassion, in The Travelling Cat Chronicles, Hiro Arikawa tells the story of a powerful bond between a man and his cat. Satoru takes a special liking to a stray feline that shows up under his van. The creature bears a strong resemblance to Satoru's childhood pet, and one day, when he appears injured by an automobile, Satoru takes him in. After nursing the injured stray back to health, Satoru bestows the name Nana--seven in Japanese--on the white cat with tabby spots because his tail is bent like the number's Japanese character. The two bachelors grow into a comfortable living arrangement, complete with walks, mouse toys and "crunchies" to eat. But one day, Satoru sadly informs the cat he must find Nana a new home, and thus begins their journeys. The pair travels to see three friends from Satoru's past, looking for the right family to care for Nana. Along the way, Arikawa paints a portrait of courage and friendship in a stunning array of colors and patterns.
Whether cat lovers or not, readers will delight in the relationship between Satoru and Nana. Nana's cheeky thoughts add comedy to this heartwarming tale as Arikawa illustrates the difference in thinking between man and beast: "Hold on a sec. I can't let that pass. Since when did I love that awful fake mouse?" And Satoru's devotion to Nana could melt the iciest of hearts. Philip Gabriel does a stellar job of translating the beauty and emotion of The Travelling Cat Chronicles so English readers can enjoy the enchantment so much they just might purr. --Jen Forbus, freelancer