Customer Reviews

Guri and Gura CD Edition

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

According to the flyleaf, "field mice Guri and Gura are the beloved companions of generations of Japanese children and are among the most recognizable of Japanese children's book characters." Amazon.com offers ten books in the series, and if this one is representative of the titles, the little mice will be spending time in many American bedrooms.

There are many appealing elements, but one immediately notices the overall sweet simplicity, the close bond of the mice, and the uncluttered but eye-catching pictures. The action begins when the foraging mice discover a gigantic egg, a egg that fires their imaginations with culinary possibilities. But the huge eggs presents multiple challenges as well. It's too big to bring home in theri basket, too smooth to hold, and too delicate to roll along the ground. At this point, the adult reader might want to ask the young audience, "What would YOU do if you were Guri or Gura? More challenges ensue: How do you crack open such a big egg? After baking a humongous sponge cake, what will the two cute mice do when "all the animals in the woods soon gather round, wiggling their noses?" The answer will please proponents of sharing:

"That's right, we're the sponge cake bakers--Guri and Gura, that's us! We're not stingy or mean--Guri and Gura, that's us! So you'll get a bite, just you wait and see!

THe animals peacefully share the giant yellow sponge cake, but one more challenge remains: What do you do with "the empty cooking pan and a gigantic eggshell?" The can-do mice solve this one too, driving their impromptu eggmobile to another adventure. Full of colorful uncluttered pictures, this sweetly simple book, abounds with opportunitiesfor laughter and problem-solving.

Two field mice discover an egg in a field - but it's too big to carry home. They just love to cook and eat food so leaving the egg in the field isn't an option - they'll have to discover an innovative method of handling the problem. The drawings are simple, warm and yet enticing.

This used to be even my favorite 30 something years ago. It is an awesome book. I have been reading it to my 4 years old daughter since she was 2. She loves Guri and Gura and is even asking me to make stuffed Guri & Gura Dolls. Authurs are sisters. They have been creating at least 5 different stories of Guri and Gura in Japan.

Only sad part is that in Japanese version, there is a lovery poem that you can create your own melody and sing together. I have heard that It is not there in English version. That is the only reason it is only 4 stars not 5.