Meet the illustrator Komako Sakai

Image from the book "As if Listening"

I was visiting a friend recently and she showed me her review copy of The Bear and the Wildcat (Gecko Press) which will become available here in Australia today! Her review will appear in the next issue of Magpies Magazine.

Blurb: When the little bird dies, his friend the bear is inconsolable. Full of grief, he locks himself in his house and ventures out again only when the smell of young spring grass blows through his window. He always carries a small box, which he opens for no one. He meets a wildcat who understands his need to carry the box. As the cat plays on her violin, the bear remembers all the beauty he experienced with the little bird. Now he can bury his friend, keeping him alive in his memories and feelings. The Bear and the Wildcat shows a way through paralysing grief and simultaneously tells the story of a hopeful new friendship.

When I saw this book I recognised the art. I have read another book by Komako Sakai - The Snow Day. I will talk in more detail about this one soon after I borrow it from a library. I am puzzled why I haven't shared it previously.

Komako Sakai was born in Hyogo, Japan, in 1966. After graduating from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Sakai worked at a kimono textile design company. She is currently one of the most popular author/illustrators in Japan. Her books Emily's Balloon and The Snow Day have received starred reviews and much acclaim. Sadly many of her books are either not available in English and many are also out of print. Take a look here to see some of her Japanese titles.  Here is a Pinterest collection with over 200 illustrations. 

In this post from Seven Impossible things Before Breakfast you can see art by Komako Sakai and read an interview with Jules. And in this Kirkus column Jules talks in depth about her favourite books. 

Here are some other books illustrated by Komako Sakai:

Blurb: This charming story follows two children who go looking for their jump rope and discover that a group of foxes have claimed it as an answer to their wish. With beautiful, classic illustrations and lyrical text, here is a subtle, sensitive piece of magic that proves to sisters, brothers, and foxes alike that the trusted familiar often lives right next to the truly extraordinary–if only you have the eyes to see it.

Kirkus star review: It’s a charming, unlikely tale, made appealing by Sakai’s sensitive artwork in lustrous acrylics and grease pencil, embellished with striking fine magenta ballpoint touches. The subtle coloration perfectly complements the simple language; the sky turns “peachy” as the sun sets, and the “light was golden and the air was warm” as the happy children run home.

Blurb: Little Bunny is VERY MAD at his mommy. She sleeps too late. She talks too much. She watches her silly shows instead of cartoons. And she gets mad for no reason – just a few little bubbles on the floor. The only thing left to do is run away. But does he really want to leave Mommy behind forever?

See inside this book here - Enchanted Lion - sadly this is out of print

Kirkus Review: The paint-and–coloured-pencil illustrations stand out, with Sakai achieving a textured, scratchy, smudged look that wonderfully captures both the humans’ and the cats’ personalities; the adorable, blue-eyed kitten is marvellously realistic and winsome, 

its coat palpably soft.