Manabeshima Island Japan

Gr 4–6—Through cartoon drawings and hand-drawn text, Chavouet records his two-month visit to Manabeshima Island, a small piece of land in the Inland Sea with just 326 residents. With just two towns, much of the island's economic and social life centers on the loading and unloading of fishing boats. The slow pace suits Chavouet, who settles in at a small inn/hostel and begins to draw. As he meets the island's residents, he draws them, along with their families and homes, in detailed cartoons. He draws his host family and their dog, the inn itself, a close-up of his room, and the view from his room. He draws what he eats and drinks, plus religious and cultural gatherings, fishing trips, a visit to the middle school, and the summer festival and feast that conclude his visit. His drawings are cartoony yet filled with realistic details, such as when he captures the island's lush landscape and animal life, including cicadas, crabs, and semiwild cat gangs that roam everywhere. He even provides a map of the cat gangs' territories and food source. Chavouet often draws interior and exterior views and adds context through maps. His playful fondness for his subjects is frequently on display; for instance, he describes a typical "grannymobile," or cart used by the island's elderly women. The hand-drawn text is sometimes small and difficult to decipher: a minor concern in an otherwise enjoyable and informative book.