Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman (Picture Puffin) [Paperback]

Maira Kalman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1991 | Series: Picture Puffin

"A fanciful travel adventure to Japan as seen through the eyes of two children . . . informative, funny, and lively."--School Library Journal. From the author/illustrator of Stay Up Late and Hey Willy, See the Pyramids. Full-color illustrations throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While watching a performance of The Mikado , Alexander suggests to his older sister Lulu that perhaps they should visit Japan. Lulu, eager to avoid her piano lesson and her teacher, the dreaded Mrs. Kackleman, is only too happy to agree. The two arrive in Tokyo (without parents, you understand), and are bundled off in a red taxi driven by a gloved man with "sharp black hair." Images of houses and people, food and customs jumble together in a wild stream-of-consciousness travelogue that springs from the minds and lips of the irrepressible brother and sister. A man sitting on a park bench and a frog in a kimono reciting a haiku are as riveting as a visit to a Japanese school or communal bath house. The book is studded with many gems from the mouths of Lulu and Alexander, like the poem dedicated to their guide: "Hey Hiroko, are you loco? Would you like a cup of cocoa?" The unique and provocative illustrative style evidenced in Hey Willy, See the Pyramids flourishes in this new work, demonstrating a graphic brilliance that is fast becoming Kalman's hallmark. Her carefully orchestrated yet extravagantly kinetic paintings are crammed with details and characters ready to spill off each page. All ages.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

In her own words: "born. bucolic childhood. culture-stuffed adolescence. played piano. stopped. danced. stopped. wrote. discarded writing. drew. reinstated writing. married Tibor Kalman and collaborated at iconoclastic yet successful design studio. wrote and painted children's books. worried. took up Ping-Pong. relaxed. wrote and painted for many magazines.  cofounded the Rubber Band Society. amused. children: two. dog: one."

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140541594
• ISBN-13: 978-0140541595
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maira Kalman is an illustrator, author, and designer. She has created many covers for The New Yorker, including the famous map of Newyorkistan (created with Rick Meyerowitz). Ms. Kalman's twelve children's books include Max Makes a Million, Stay Up Late, Swami on Rye, and What Pete Ate. She also has designed fabric for Isaac Mizrahi, accessories for Kate Spade, sets for the Mark Morris Dance Company, and, with her late husband Tibor Kalman under the M&Co. label, clocks, umbrellas, and other accessories for the Museum of Modern Art. Ms. Kalman's work is shown at the Julie Saul Gallery in Manhattan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is really funny., February 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman (Picture Puffin) (Paperback)

This is a story about two kids who take a trip to Japan. The writing style is really humorous, and yet it is not not silly. It uses puns and a wonderful descriptive style in ways that are really original. My son (age 3) really enjoys this story, and so do his older cousins. The illustrations are also interesting and fun to look out. This is a good book to read out loud at bedtime.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book sings!, February 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman (Picture Puffin) (Paperback)

From the subway that "smoothed into the station" to all the exotic Japanese meals, this fantasy trip of two kids to Japan is just inspiring. I find myself as delighted and laughing as my kids. Having falling totally in love with Ms. Kalman's words and images I'm off in search of more!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She found our world, January 14, 2005

By 

Jane Zola "Jane in Japan" (Kyoto, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman (Picture Puffin) (Paperback)

Maira Kalman has captured the best selling points of Japan.

We have lived in Kyoto for 8 years. My husband is Japanese, and I'm American. We're raising our "doubles" (dual nationals)over here. "Sayonara Mrs. Kackleman" is our kids' ultimate favorite book, and they laugh and laugh when I read "Pajan" or they call them "Japansneeze" and "Hey Hiroko...are you loco?" The author writes about the precious things that we wish we could preserve over here. Sadly, the traditional culture is being replaced with the younger generation's obsession with character goods, shopping for horrendously overpriced luxury goods, overwork, porn DVDs in vending machines, McDonalds in every neighborhood. Kalman writes about Japan in the 80s, I think. It has changed a lot in 25 years, so the things she recorded in her book are all the more dear to me. The humor, the illustrations and the fact that she chose this country have turned me into fan.

When we go back to the States I check out all her books from the library, so we can read them as often as we do at home.