The Secret Forest Friends

Gr 1-3–Mayu, a young Japanese girl, is excited for her summer vacation to come so she can visit her grandparents and her secret fox friend Konta who lives nearby in the forest. One day, Mayu and her mother receive a letter from Grandpa expressing their excitement to see her. Mayu and her mother reply to the letter; Mayu also writes to Konta, sending the missive with the magical bird she befriended in the first installment of this series. Mayu visits Konta in the forest, and disaster strikes when she loses her slipper and can’t walk home. She asks Konta to go to her grandparents’ place and get Grandpa. The fox is scared since he has not spoken to any other human, but he succeeds with Mayu’s encouragement and she is rescued by a piggyback ride home from Grandpa. In the age of technology, Hara introduces young readers into the art of letter writing. This sweet story also teaches young children the importance of relationships with older generation family members and how to support friends when they need help.