The Boy Who Drew Cats

 The Boy Who Drew Cats

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       May 22, 2026

 

Author  Lafcadio Hearn, illustrated by Anita Kreituse

Distributor:      New South Books
ISBN:                 9780804859561
Publisher:         Tuttle Publishing
Release Date:   12 May 2026  

Website:    https://newsouthbooks.com.au/books/the-boy-who-drew-cats-a-japanese-folktale/ 

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The author Lafcadio Hearn was a migrant to Japan who became an expert in Japanese culture and folktales. He was a professor who published fifteen books while in Japan and became known as an authority in these areas. This book, The Boy Who Drew Cats, is a splendid example of a folktale which encompasses many themes.  The artwork in this book created by Anita Kreitsue is superb and was nominated for a prize in 2017, which gives an emotional entry into the story.

The legend tells of a small boy who was the son of a farmer. Because he was not strong and had an obsession for drawing cats on everything, his poor family sent him to a priest at the temple. The priest wanted to train him but ultimately the cat fetish led him to send the boy away. It was when the boy was alone, vulnerable and afraid that his greatest challenge appeared. Now, the cats became his saviours.

The story is beautifully told and has several double page spreads with no text. The artwork is something to linger over and finding each cat on various surfaces is a delight.

The combination of a beautiful story, told with heart, and illustrated magnificently is a winner, and a must for any collection.

Childrens, Fiction