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The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba tr. Avery Fischer Udagawa ill. Miho Satake

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 6 Aug 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

“Black-and-white illustrations reminiscent of Shel Silverstein’s work bump up against the margins of the words and dance across the page, sprinkling the story with whimsy. Teetering on the edge of absurdity, the tale reads like a parable, simultaneously simple and profound, infused with a timeless message about the importance of community. Captivating and magical, with a dash of goodness baked in.” KIRKUS
“The story is as charming and curious as an old bookstore cat, and Satake’s playful illustrations at times evoke the whimsy of Dr. Seuss, especially the depictions of the cottages and shops on the avenue.” SLJ
“Readers will appreciate a timeless, enchanting read and find themselves wanting to revisit the Misty Valley again and again.” MUSE

Also illustrated by Miho Satake:
The Fierce Little Woman And The Wicked Pirate [ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Jul 2025]
Temple Alley Summer [ACHUKA Book of the Day 31 Jan 2022]

Fifty years after it was written and following decades of blockbuster success in Japan, Sachiko Kashiwaba’s acclaimed novel is available in English and ready to delight readers of all ages.

Lina’s father had suggested she go “someplace different” for the summer, and she’s beginning to wish she hadn’t listened. She could be at her grandma’s house in Nagano now, instead of trudging through a forest in search of a town that might not even exist. But when a gust of wind carries off her umbrella, it leads Lina down a secret path between the trees to a strange and incredible world. In the hidden village of Misty Valley, centaurs roam the cobblestone streets and gnomes visit shops stuffed with spellbooks and enchanted desserts. All magic has a dark side, though, and sometimes even sorcerers need a human’s helping hand.

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