[Picture Book Review] "Guri and Gura's Surprise Visitor"

This story is a picture book featuring two mice named "Guri" and "Gura." One winter day, while having a snowball fight in the forest, the two find

large footprints in the snow. Following the tracks, they arrive at their own house. At the entrance, there are large boots, a red coat, and a pure white scarf, and a delicious smell is drifting from the kitchen. Peeking into the kitchen out of curiosity, they find an old man with a pure white beard waiting while making a Christmas cake. It is a heartwarming story that never reveals his identity until the end, but makes the reader realize, "

It must be that person!." ----- Reading this picture book, the first thing I felt was the warmth unique to the "Guri and Gura



" series. The excitement from finding the large footprints and the anticipation for the mysterious presence waiting at home came through the pictures and text, and I couldn't stop turning the pages. In particular, the description of Guri and Gura's house was so detailed that it was fun to feel as if I were in the house myself. And the Christmas cake that appears at the end looks so delicious that I couldn't help but think, "I want to eat it with them." Also, I thought it was wonderful that the story progresses without directly mentioning the name "

Santa Claus." I feel that by letting the reader imagine, it leaves a deeper impression. And the way Guri and Gura



continue to interact happily as always was just like "Guri and Gura," and it was comforting. While the two usually have a strong image of a spring picnic, I thought it was nice that Guri and Gura in winter have a different charm. Although this book has a Christmas theme, it is a picture book with warmth that stays in your heart

even without flashy production. I thought it would be even more fun to read with family and friends.