The Lonesome Puppy [Hardcover]

Yoshitomo Nara (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

In his first book for children, renowned artist Yoshitomo Nara tells the charming story of a puppy so large that no one notices himuntil a determined little girl climbs high enough to meet him and become his friend. A sweet tale from an artist for whom childhood holds a magical appeal, The Lonesome Puppy is sure to delight young readers and Narafans of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS—A noted Pop artist tries his hand at a children's book with decidedly mixed results. The slight story centers on a dog so big that he straddles the globe and is friendless because no one can actually see him. A little girl finally notices him, climbs up onto his face, and sings to him, and they become friends. "No matter how alone you are, there is always someone, somewhere, waiting to meet you. Just look and you will find them!" The artist uses many close-ups of both the dog and the girl to convey the immensity of the creature and the girl's reaction to him. The book is much more a showcase of one man's distinctive style than a coherent or interesting story. It will appeal primarily to Nara's fans or to libraries with large picture-book art collections.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI
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From Booklist

Japanese pop artist Nara, whose works often feature little girls and dogs, makes his picture-book debut in a story dedicated to physically challenged children everywhere. An enormous dog (so big that when he stands he straddles the Pacific Ocean) is lonely until a little girl notices him. Climbing up to stand on the bridge of his nose, she sings to him. The author concludes that no matter how alone you are, there is always someone, somewhere, waiting to meet you. The artwork features simple, pastel-hued figures drawn with bold strokes. Large eyes are a focal point for many of the figures, and unlike some of Nara’s other work, the spreads here appear innocent and tranquil. Young listeners may be confused because the text ends somewhat abruptly, followed by several additional illustrative spreads; but since the artwork is likely to provoke discussion, preschoolers may not even notice the lack of words. This is a quiet tale with limited appeal, but the notion of friendship as an antidote to loneliness will bring comfort to listeners who find the book. --Kay Weisman

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811856402
• ISBN-13: 978-0811856409
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #572,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three ways of seeing, May 22, 2008

By 

Robert C. Ross (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lonesome Puppy (Hardcover)

Yoshitomo Nara's first children's book is fascinating for young children. Somehow the idea that a dog can be too big for anyone to see captures their imagination. And then, climbing up a paw and discovering a whole new world -- fun for a kid and for the kid in the adult doing the reading aloud.

Yoshitomo Nara has become known world wide for his neo-pop style paintings and sculptures that featuring big-eyed children, sometimes sad, sometimes mischievous, sometimes a little dangerous. Nara denies that the weapons held by his kids are dangerous. "Look at them, they are so small, like toys. Do you think they could fight with those? I don't think so. Rather, I kind of see the children among other, bigger, bad people all around them, who are holding bigger knives...." [His thought reminds me of the closing scene in Lord of the Flies, where murderous children are stopped by well dressed naval officers, themselves engaged in murderous activities.] However you interpret the kids, however, as one critic wrote: "his tender and friendly dogs offer absolution and tranquility."

Nara's art is clearly autobiographical. He was a "latch-key kid" who spent time out of school with virtually alone, with only pets for company. "My art represents my childhood experiences. It is not influenced by Japanese pop culture. I played with sheep, cats and dogs when I came home from school."

I first encountered Nara's art in Philadelphia and learned more from the catalog, Yoshitomo Nara: Nothing Ever Happens. The book is a wonderful description of Nara's work and its influences.

At the end of the analysis, however, this puppy is adorable, and the kid within all of us will love it. Mine sure did.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the puppy is my hero!, August 17, 2008

By 

dakota lane (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lonesome Puppy (Hardcover)

i love nara's spirit and art and it is wonderful to have all his gifts close at hand. a magical and inviting book to inhabit--alone or with others who have been alone.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encourages Your Imagination, November 29, 2008

By 

Christine Henske (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lonesome Puppy (Hardcover)

The Lonesome Puppy is a simple story that is wonderfully illustrated. What I really like about this book though is its ability to convey a meaningful story while using simple, serene, sorta zen-like language. It's very comforting. I also like that your kid's imagination will be piqued not only by the appealing illustrations but also that the author chooses just the right amount--not too many, not too few--to tell the puppy's story.