Customer Reviews

The Lonesome Puppy

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My toddler loves to read this book before he goes to bed. Its been really enjoyable for our family.

items were just as described! well packaged & prompt delivery! keep up the great work :) and thank you!!!

I bought this and several other books from Amazon to fill a set of nursery baskets for newborn twins. This was my favorite. The illustrations are charming and it's a very light and upbeat story.