Keiko Kasza
Keiko's Books
(click a book or scroll down for details)
Finders, Keepers!
Ready for Anything!
Badger's Fancy Meal
Dorothy & Mickey
Grandpa Toad's Secrets
When the Elephant Walks
Finders, Keepers!
(Penguin/Putnam, 2015)
Theme: Different perspectives by different viewers
“Kasza creates another storytime winner . . .”
- by The Horn Book
“ . . . this circular story makes a terrific storytime read.”
- By School Library Journal
My Lucky Birthday
(Penguin/Putnam, 2013)
Theme: triumph of the underdog (A companion book to My Lucky Day)
"With this tale of turnabouts, storytime favorite Kasza delivers a sly companion to My Lucky Day . . .”
- Kirkus Review.
Silly Goose’s Big Story
(Penguin/Putnam, 2012)
Theme: friends through thick and thin
"Kasza has a talent for depicting real-world preschool conflict in her amusing animal fantasies."
- The Horn Book
" . . .this colorful picture book is just plain fun for reading aloud."
- Booklist
Ready for Anything!
(Penguin/Putnam, 2009)
Theme: the power of positive thinking
“Lighthearted, and wise, this humorous book skillfully presents the positive and negative issues . . .”
- School Library Journal
“Dynamic illustrations extend the humor throughout. . . .Bring along your picnic basket for this one.”
- Kirkus
Badger’s Fancy Meal
(Penguin/Putnam, 2007)
Theme: appreciation for what you have
“Another bold, bright, and funny read-aloud to add to Kasza’s canon.”
- School Library Journal
“Keiko Kasza has a knack for creating modern-day fables for children . . .”
- International Reading Association
The Dog Who Cried Wolf
(Penguin/Putnam, 2005)
Theme: freedom versus the comforts of home
“Children will howl with delight when they meet this engaging pup . . .”
- School Library Journal /Starred
“Kasza’s simple story and expressive watercolor and ink illustrations are spot-on. . . In the end, this tale of home and comfort will make everyone sigh with happiness.”
- Kirkus Reviews
My Lucky Day
(Penguin/Putnam, 2004)
Theme: triumph of the underdog
“Children who have this book read to them at bedtime or story hour will find it’s their lucky day, too.”
- The Horn Book /Starred
“Kasza’s gouache art is as buoyant and comical as her narrative . . . “
- Publisher’s Weekly /Starred
The Mightiest
(Penguin/Putnam, 2002)
Theme: it is not size or strength that makes you the mightiest
“Kasza packs a great deal of philosophy . . .Kids will enjoy chewing over the questions and themes in the clever tale . . .
- Booklist
Dorothy and Mikey
(Penguin/Putnam, 2000)
Theme: friendship
“Humor, understatement, and perfect pacing are the hallmarks of her stories . . .”
- The Horn Book
“(Dorothy and Mikey) bring to mind the best of the late James Marshall’s ‘George and Martha’ books as they compete at everything but still end up friends.”
- Chicago Tribune
Don’t Laugh, Joe!
(Putnam, 1998)
Theme: the power of laughter
“Joe’s giggles, conveyed so mirthfully in Kasza’s pictures, are pretty contagious.”
- Publisher’s Weekly
“The rhythmic text moves along at a fast clip, and the warmhearted watercolors are irresistible.”
- Booklist
Grandpa Toad’s Secrets
(Penguin/Putnam, 1995)
Theme: intergenerational friendship
“Another winner from an author/illustrator who really knows what children like.”
- School Library Journal
The Rat and the Tiger
(Putnam, 1993)
Theme: conflict resolution between friends
“A worthwhile acquisition that children and parents will check out over and over again.”
- Booklist
A Mother for Choco
(Putnam, 1992)
Theme: adoption, multicultural acceptance
“The emphasis on caring and sharing despite superficial differences will surely find a wide audience.”
- School Library Journal/Starred
“Once again Kasza . . .offers a fetchingly illustrated animal story with a profound message, endearingly and subtly delivered.”
- Publisher’s Weekly
When the Elephant Walks
(Putnam, 1990)
Theme: a circular story of big and small
“A gem to share, with lap-sitter or group.”
- Kirkus Reviews/Starred
“An unpretentious, thoroughly engaging book, executed with charm and élan.”
- The Horn Book
The Pigs’ Picnic
(Putnam, 1988)
Theme: be yourself
“What a delightful way to say, ‘You’re OK just the way you are.’”
- School Library Journal/Starred
The Wolf’s Chicken Stew
(Putnam, 1987)
Theme: love can change even a villain
“. . .securely establishes herself as an outstanding new picture book talent.”
- The Christian Science Monitor
“The wolf is an endearing critter whose expressions run the gamut from sly to shy to downright lovable.”
- Booklist
Kaba Obasan wa Ryouri Jouzu
Choco no Mama Yai
Boku no Wanita
Akai Entotsu Miete Kita
Oomu no Itazura
(Published in Japan during 1981-1986)