Satoshi Kitamura’s artwork is immediately recognisable and Hat Tricks is a typically joyful, bold, bright celebration of the imagination.
The little rabbit on the cover is Hattie, a gifted magician. Waving her wand – abracadabra, katakurico – she conjures a procession of animals out of her hat – a cat, a squirrel, an octopus, each turn of the page bringing a new surprise until … well, you’ll have to read it for yourselves.
Kitamura’s comic timing is impeccable, and there’s a wonderful sense of drama as it all builds to its truly unexpected conclusion. A magical reading experience!
Hattie the rabbit conjures an amazing succession of animals out of her hat, and for a grand finale produces a wonderful habitat where they can all live. Bigger and bigger animals start appearing and before each page turn is a visual clue as to who will pop out of the hat next.
`The bold, bright, beautiful style of Satoshi Kitamura stands out like a beacon.' Times Educational Supplement
`Satoshi Kitamura has produced some of the most delightful picture books of the last dozen years.' New York Times Book Review
`There could be no better way to start than with Kitamura's wonderful illustrations'. Observer
Author
About Satoshi Kitamura
Satoshi Kitamura was born in 1956 in Tokyo. He says that when he was young he read comics and admits that these have had a great influence on his style. He says he was also influenced by anything visual from a tin of sardines to the fine art of the East and the West. He was not trained as an artist, but at the age of 19 began to do commercial work. From 1976-1979 he worked as a commercial artist in Japan, working as an illustrator for adverts and magazines. He moved to London in 1979 and worked mainly at designing greeting cards. He started illustrating for Andersen Press in 1981 after he had an exhibition of his work at the Neal Street Gallery in Covent Garden.
