The illustrations, mostly bordered rectangles set against handmade paper, combine elements of Japanese wood-carved prints with cartoonlike faces and great detail, showing both traditional agricultural scenes and industrialization. -- Kirkus, "The illustrations are beautiful, engaging and ever so detailed! There is a really good balance of description vs. dialogue in this book..." - MissJennysClassroom.com, "The illustrations, mostly bordered rectangles set against handmade paper, combine elements of Japanese wood-carved prints with cartoonlike faces and great detail, showing both traditional agricultural scenes and industrialization." -- Kirkus, A cautionary tale about protecting the environment, and having the courage to help our friends despite the danger to ourselves. (As a side note, the myth of the kappa is actually the origin of our modern story of mutant ninja turtles!) -- AllDoneMonkey.com, This is a Japanese 'Lorax' folk tale with a cautionary message about taking care of our earth! -- PragmaticMom.com blog, The kappa, translated 'river child,' are believed to be messengers of the god of water and have been part of Japanese folklore for hundreds of years. -- California Kids! Family Fun Guide, "This is a wonderful book filled with interesting illustrations and an important message embedded in a lovely story. It can be used as a bridge to talking with children about how they can help the water clean, as well as the environment as a whole." R, "A cautionary tale about protecting the environment, and having the courage to help our friends despite the danger to ourselves. (As a side note, the myth of the kappa is actually the origin of our modern story of mutant ninja turtles!)" -- AllD, This engaging tale offers an easy-to-understand environmental lesson along with an accessible introduction to Japanese folklore and culture for young readers. -- School Library Journal, "...a beautifully scripted and illustrated story of love, friendship, and adventure that includes Japanese text alongside the English translation, making it a great way for kids to learn Japanese." -- Midwest Book Review, "This engaging tale offers an easy-to-understand environmental lesson along with an accessible introduction to Japanese folklore and culture for young readers." -- School Library Journal, "This is a wonderful book filled with interesting illustrations and an important message embedded in a lovely story. It can be used as a bridge to talking with children about how they can help the water clean, as well as the environment as a whole." -- Castle View Academy blog, The illustrations are beautiful, engaging and ever so detailed! There is a really good balance of description vs. dialogue in this book... -- MissJennysClassroom.com, "...a beautifully scripted and illustrated story of love, friendship, and adventure that includes Japanese text alongside the English translation, making it a great way for kids to lean Japanese." - Midwest Book Review, "This engaging tale offers an easy-to-understand environmental lesson along with an accessible introduction to Japanese folklore and culture for young readers." - School Library Journal, "A cautionary tale about protecting the environment, and having the courage to help our friends despite the danger to ourselves. (As a side note, the myth of the kappa is actually the origin of our modern story of mutant ninja turtles!)" - AllD, "This is a Japanese 'Lorax' folk tale with a cautionary message about taking care of our earth!" -- PragmaticMom.com blog, ...a beautifully scripted and illustrated story of love, friendship, and adventure that includes Japanese text alongside the English translation, making it a great way for kids to learn Japanese. -- Midwest Book Review, "A cautionary tale about protecting the environment, and having the courage to help our friends despite the danger to ourselves. (As a side note, the myth of the kappa is actually the origin of our modern story of mutant ninja turtles!)" -- AllDoneMonkey.com, "The kappa, translated 'river child,' are believed to be messengers of the god of water and have been part of Japanese folklore for hundreds of years." -- California Kids! Family Fun Guide, "A cautionary tale about protecting the environment, and having the courage to help our friends despite the danger to ourselves. (As a side note, the myth of the kappa is actually the origin of our modern story of mutant ninja turtles!)" - AllDoneMonkey.com, This is a wonderful book filled with interesting illustrations and an important message embedded in a lovely story. It can be used as a bridge to talking with children about how they can help the water clean, as well as the environment as a whole. -- Castle View Academy blog, "This is a wonderful book filled with interesting illustrations and an important message embedded in a lovely story. It can be used as a bridge to talking with children about how they can help the water clean, as well as the environment as a whole." - Castle View Academy blog, "The illustrations are beautiful, engaging and ever so detailed! There is a really good balance of description vs. dialogue in this book..." -- MissJennysClassroom.com, "...a beautifully scripted and illustrated story of love, friendship, and adventure that includes Japanese text alongside the English translation, making it a great way for kids to lean Japanese." -- Midwest Book Review, "The illustrations, mostly bordered rectangles set against handmade paper, combine elements of Japanese wood-carved prints with cartoonlike faces and great detail, showing both traditional agricultural scenes and industrialization." - Kirkus, "This is a Japanese 'Lorax' folk tale with a cautionary message about taking care of our earth!" - PragmaticMom.com blog, "The kappa, translated 'river child,' are believed to be messengers of the god of water and have been part of Japanese folklore for hundreds of years." - California Kids! Family Fun Guide