Nankichi Niimi (1913–1943)

Gon, the Little Fox is a charming Japanese tale of a fox and his peregrinations. The book is marvelously illustrated with vivid watercolors which themselves make the price of the book worthwhile. The translation is beautiful and sensitive. This fox is mischievous which leads him to do something he might regret. Something that leads to something tragic. Gon does feel remorse for having killed an eel that was meant for a poor villager's dying mother. The ending is sad. For this action, the fox is shot by Hyoju. A story that will stay with you and can be read again and again. As an adult I enjoyed the story and especially enjoyed this edition printed on thick high grade glossy paper.… (altro)