Koko Nishizuka, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger,
The Beckoning Cat: Based on a Japanese Folktale
Holiday House, 2009.

Ages 4-8

The Beckoning Cat, Koko Nishizuka’s captivating first picture book, is based on the folktale behind the smiling white cat figurine prominently displayed in Japanese (and other Asian) shops, its paw raised in a welcoming gesture to customers.

Set “long, long ago,” the book tells the story of Yohei, a poor boy living with his father in a fishing village. Rosanne Litzinger’s soft colors and graceful lines depict Yohei’s traditional country life as the boy carries his fresh catch from house to house in a round wooden bucket suspended from a shoulder pole. Kneeling housewives beckon him from their engawa, narrow porches, to buy his fish. One night, as the hardworking, motherless boy cooks dinner, a little white cat meows at the door. Yohei shares his meager meal with the grateful purring cat, but she disappears the next morning.

When Yohei’s father falls ill, the responsible boy worries. He can’t leave his father, and the day’s catch will surely spoil before it’s sold. But soon a young woman shows up at their door and laughingly explains that she has followed a cat to their house. “Isn’t she your cat, the white one? As I left my sewing teacher’s home, she meowed at me. After taking a few steps, she turned and waved her paw as if to say, ‘Come here.’ She was so adorable that I followed her.” The living prototype of later porcelain beckoning cats illustrates the page, her little paw gesturing appealingly. The young woman buys three fish from Yohei. Soon a man appears, again reporting that the cat has approached him, and makes a big purchase.

By afternoon, Yohei’s fish barrel is empty. “From that day on, the white cat lived with Yohei and kept inviting customers.” Yohei buys medicine for his father, who quickly improves. The family business prospers, and other merchants begin displaying porcelain cats to encourage business.

Children who have observed cats with fish will appreciate not only Yohei’s cat’s gratitude but also her remarkable restraint around the fish barrel. Adults seeking morals in folktales will find much to discuss with young readers, but Litzinger’s endearing cat gets across the message of Nishizuka’s sweet story all on her own.

Charlotte Richardson
February 2010