The Secret Forest Friends by Kyoko Hara and Kazue Takahashi

 The Secret Forest Friends

by Kyoko Hara and Kazue Takahashi is another beautiful adventure lived by  Mayu, that we had previously met in the first children's book of the saga: The Mailbox in the Forest. Let's remember the facts of the first children's book: Mayu during fall goes for some holidays at the house of his grand-parents. Living in a  countryside, close to their house there is a forest. Mayu is powerfully attracted by the forest, and one day she discovers a mailbox. She is so curious! In the middle of a forest. Who can have put it there? 

More: his grandfather explains her the importance of letters. You can read them once received wagons of times, it's an important vehicle to stay in touch with people.

So Mayu, in the first book of the story starts a correspondence with a stranger with a horrible handwriting but, oh! so sweet. At the end of the little book, we discover that the stranger is a little fox called Konta, curious to receive letters, although he is not too good in writing clearly.

In this second chapter, Mayu attends the summer vacation to the house of her grand-parents and she can't wait. She loves them and of course she is also anxious to meet Konta again.She must prepare some schoolwork in particular a research on the flowers and plants discovered in the forest: she stayed in touch with him sending the letter thanks to a bird of the forest who was the special mailman between Mayu and Konta during the time spoent by Mayu in her city's house.

Konta is thrilled to see her again, and Mayu brings him a beautiful hat with his colors.

A misadventure experienced by the little girl will permit to Konta to reach the house of Mayu's grandparents and his grandparent discovers Mayu's secret, this little fox, and a wonderful truth! Konta must be a relative of a little fox with which he loved to spend some time with during his childhood.

Another beautiful chapter where good sentiments, fantasy and understanding of the diversity plays the big role.

Enchanting children's book, very recommended.

I thank Museyon Books for the copy of the book.

Anna Maria Polidori 

Ps: released in hardback this July first