This was gifted to me by one of my best friends because it looked up my alley, and it’s yet another example of how the perfect book will find you when the time is right. Based on a short story that was translated to an animated film, this version of the book has stunning artwork and frames from the film, with the dialogue handwritten by the original artist.

Put simply, I am in love. The story is so simple in its premise- a lost boy seeking a home and encountering a variety of characters along the way- but told so beautifully. I was consistently hit hard by brilliant quotes with carefully chosen words that would not seem out of place to a child, but carried a different weight as an adult. The accompanying artwork was immersive and gorgeous, and I can safely say that I did not exit this world until long after the story was done. There were minutes I spent just staring at the pages and losing myself in the greys and blues of the wintery landscape, or basking in the warmth of fiery colours as they glowed like a hearth.

I get that I’ve been in a rough place, but I almost cried reading it, and it’s a book I intend to read to my future kids. A charming and wholesome masterpiece all around- I heartily recommend it. No matter where life takes me, this will have a permanent home on the shelf by my bed.