The Last Kappa of Old Japan: A Magical Journey of Two Friends (English and Japanese)

Norihei is a boy who lives in the old Japanese countryside. One day he discovers a young kappa and saves his life. The two become fast friends and Kyu-chan introduces Norihei to the secret wonders of the water world. This is the story of their friendship. Kappas are mythological creatures that have been a part of Japanese folklore for centuries. They are believed to be messengers of the god of water; they often do mischievous things and like to eat cucumbers. This warmly written and beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to many aspects of traditional Japanese culture and folklore while teaching an important lesson about maintaining a clean environment.