By Li Wang

Taro Gomi is a Japanese artist and author who has created over 400 picture books. I first discovered his work several years ago at my local library, and my admiration has only grown since. I regret my long-forgotten Japanese and wish I could “feel” his words in the original language. Thankfully, his books have been translated into dozens of languages. Without a doubt, they are loved by both children and adults—myself included.

I Know Numbers!

I Know Numbers! is a concept book first published in Japan in 1985, and later in the U.S. in 2017. My first response was: Taro Gomi is a life observer. He goes straight to the numbers of daily life. The opening spread shows a boy and a clock on the right page, a man and a calendar on the left. In the corner in small print: “8 56”—the time on the clock. He’s a master at the interplay between text and image, building inner stories within each spread. The pictures may look simple, but they are magical and invite imagination. This book draws attention to numbers all around us with clarity, humor, and a surprise on the last page that makes you want to start all over again.

I Lost My Dad

I Lost My Dad, first published in Japan in 1983 and in the U.S. in 2001, is an interactive puzzle. Even the pages are cut out into different shapes much like a puzzle. This format, along with the text, art and design serve the mood of the story.

In the story, a boy loses his dad in a toy section and searches all over the department store. The text begins: “I was looking at the toys, when…/ …my Dad disappeared! I lost my Dad!” Gomi turns a common childhood experience into an adventure filled with hope, suspense, surprise, disappointment and finally relief when the pair are reunited.

I agree with what the front jacket of the book says (whoever wrote this read the book with heart): “Taro Gomi uses his straightforward yet sophisticated, totally child-friendly style of illustration to create a veritable maze of fun and intrigue.” 

Spring is Here

Spring Is Here is one of Taro Gomi’s most acclaimed books, published in Japan in 1999 and in the U.S. the same year. It’s a gorgeous celebration of visual beauty and imagination, about a calf and the four seasons. You have to experience it yourself to feel the magic. I read both the English and the Chinese version, and, if you can read Chinese, I recommend looking for the Chinese version of this book, too!

Little Plane

Little Plane, first published in Japan and then by Chronicle Books in 2019, is about a little plane’s journey. By now, you’ve probably noticed—Chronicle Books is the major U.S. publisher for Gomi’s work, and it’s wonderful. We need more of his books in English. What I love most about Little Plane is the dialogue. The narrator encourages and comforts the Little Plane but doesn’t make decisions for the Little Plane.

These and other books reveal Taro Gomi to be a wise man with the heart of a child. Most importantly, his work stays true to who he is. His work feels pure and free. I’d recommend all of his books to children and adults alike. 

About Li Wang

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