Sheeta’s Little Big World, Vol. 1

Gr 5 Up–It’s a big world out there and this is especially true for the little folk who live in a log. As one of them, Sheeta isn’t particularly keen to traverse the forest landscape, but for the sake of his missing friend, he dons his father’s gear and heads out. While searching, the plucky boy teams up with the revenge-seeking Izuna, who imparts his survivalist’s knowledge and helps the determined Kugel protect her home. In the vein of John Peterson’s series “The Littles” and Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty, Sheeta’s adventures revolve around overcoming an environment’s obstacles through ingenuity and cooperation. Kamba adds realism by drawing attention to simple contraptions and facts about flora and fauna. Even her illustrations, from the fur to the thorns, incorporate charming details. While this manga acknowledges the dangers that lurk around, the tone set by the plump, huggable design of Sheeta and his sweet demeanor dampen the threat level, giving assurances about the resolution.