Synopsis

"I hate cats, and I hate saying goodbye to cats even more..." Fifteen years ago, his daughter brought home a kitten that was all black and considered unlucky. Although the father strongly objected, he couldn't resist his daughter's insistence and let the kitten become a member of the family. This tough dad, who always said "I hate cats," unknowingly developed a deep affection for the cat.

Hidden behind the ironic statement "I hate cats" lies the tenderest love in the heart of an adult who is least adept at showing vulnerability. This book, with its simple language and emotionally resonant images, allows readers to see the weight of family, companionship, and farewell, reminding us to cherish the everyday moments.

Author: Daisuke Yokota (Illustrator, Design Background) / Translator: Pei-Yun Yu (Children's Literature and Culture Researcher)

Highlights of this book

• The film uses irony to portray a father who is not good at expressing love, which is sincere and touching.
• From the everyday details of meeting to companionship, pets reflect their importance as family members.
• The illustrations are imbued with the spirit of the Showa era and are highly emotional, with the cats' expressions and postures being extremely charming.
• The rhythm is gentle yet powerful, helping children understand that "liking and reluctance can coexist."
• Suitable for cat lovers and families with cat-raising experience, it can also serve as a gentle guide when facing farewell.

Learning value / Educational value

• Emotional education: Recognize the complex emotions of "saying you hate something but actually caring about it," and learn to express love in an appropriate way.
• Empathy and responsibility: Understand that pets are family members, and cultivate empathy and responsibility through caring for and spending time with them.
• Life and death/farewell education: confronting separation and loss with gentle narratives, providing an entry point for parent-child dialogue.
• Cherish the present: Help children see the warmth in everyday little things, and practice gratitude and saying goodbye.

Why it's worth reading

• Parent-child reading friendly: The text is concise and full of emotion, making it suitable for slow reading and careful appreciation before bed or on weekends.
• Extending the conversation: Guide children to think – "If you were the dad/cat, how would you feel and express it?"
• Authentic and relatable: It is close to everyday family life, and without being sentimental, it allows readers to naturally confront the themes of "love and farewell".
• Image-based navigation: Enriching facial expressions and scene details, enhancing observation skills and the ability to interpret nonverbal cues.