Born in Tokyo in 1939, Kazuo Iwamura left his mark on the history of children’s literature with his unique style, imbued with poetry and sensitivity. After working as an illustrator for children’s shows on NHK, Japanese television, then briefly as a designer in a cosmetics company, he definitively turned to creating children’s books. He became famous for his essential series The Mouse Family, which won over generations of readers in France and around the world. Among his most beloved works are A new home for the Souris family, The mouse train, The Mouse family and the pumpkin, The Mouse family and the dragonfly pond, to name just a few.
The four seasons of the Mouse Family
Unmissable albums
“Immersing yourself in the warm and detailed universe of the Mouse Family is like a real Christmas dream and especially a childhood dream as the Japanese Kazuo Iwamura was able to create a joyful and comforting atmosphere in the company of this famous gang – there are fourteen mice in everything, ten children, the parents and grandparents – who snuggle up in their hollow tree, gather around the stove, sleep on the mezzanine and all their pallets lined up, go out to have a snow fight or go off in line Leu leu for a spring picnic, between foraging butterflies, hopping frogs and blooming flowers. Meal preparation or excursion to the edge of the pond, everything is an excuse for observation in these magnificent double pages punctuated with multiple details including four stories brought together here in a large album. Dream of the ideal family in Japan where we do everything together, cooking, carpentry, homework in peace and harmony, the Mouse Family also cherishes the hopes of Westerners. Both essential and timeless” we wrote to when the collection of Four seasons of the Mouse Family” in 2013.
Iwamura’s books remain timeless and continue to delight children and their parents, who by reading them, forget the time that passes, the time that escapes them.
Inspiring nature
A selection of children’s albums
-Kazuo Iwamura lived with his family in Mashiko, a village located about a hundred kilometers north of Tokyo, where he drew inspiration from the surrounding nature. It is in the middle of the woods that the settings and characters that populate his albums were drawn, imbued with gentleness and tenderness.
He was also honored in December 2014 with the insignia of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres, recognition of his exceptional work and his lasting influence in the world of illustration.
Kazuo Iwamura was always delighted to learn that his books continued to reach readers around the world, particularly in France, where he was particularly appreciated and considered “a delicate ambassador of the Japanese art of living.”
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