1.
So my friend
2.
My friend is a transparent cat
3.
I hope you come back and eat again
4.
The weather is cold and my heart is cold
5.
Why I hate snow
6.
Four small circles on top of a large circle
7.
Thank goodness! Is it a blessing?
8.
My friends Toto and Bobo and

The 1st Book Reading Bear Children's Book Contest
Grand Prize Winner in the Feature Story Category

Well-structured and solid
A vivid and engaging fairy tale for elementary school students

"This work has the virtue of drawing readers in with its warm sentences and clean plot." _Kim Seo-jeong (children's literature critic)

We at Book Reading Bear, which creates children's books that connect our past, present, and future, have started a children's book contest with the hope of presenting good books full of fun and meaning.
In the first contest, a fairy tale for lower grades and a fairy tale for upper grades shared the grand prize, marking a meaningful start.
The elementary school children's book "The Invisible Cat Totto" is still a popular story about stray cats, but it was unanimously selected as the grand prize winner by the judges, receiving favorable reviews for its vivid and charming work that avoids clichés and a sense of unease.

Woo-joo, the main character of "Transparent Cat Totto," finds Min-jae, a fellow classmate, annoying.
He brags whenever he opens his mouth, and he only gives out snacks to children who listen to him well.
I think Minjae, who is best friends with Woojoo, is very, very lethal.
Because of Minjae, a new rule was created in class 2-2: 'Friends must share snacks.'

That day, as always, Minjae started bragging about his puppy from the morning.
But, while Woo-joo was listening to how brave and cute Min-jae's dog Lucky was, something unexpected suddenly came out of his mouth.
He promised to show me a feline friend I'd never seen before within ten days! And so began Woojoo and Dana's "Invisible Cat Search" mission, unwilling to lose their bet.

In the process of finding an invisible being
A tender landscape that is clearly visible

“The cheerfulness and health of Woojoo’s family caring for stray cats, the realistic yet cute friendship shared by Woojoo and his friends, and the small details of everyday life shown by neighbors who do not lose interest in the vulnerable around them resonate.” _Lee Geum-i (children’s story writer)

The connection between the universe and the invisible cat friend was formed unexpectedly.
After Woojoo's dad, who is good at getting anything, got some cat food, he put the food and water out in front of the store for the stray cats.
It was the same for a day or two, but after three days, the feed started to decrease.
Finally, our cat guest has arrived.
But no matter how long I wait, I can't see even a single hair on the cat.
It's almost like a transparent cat.
Unable to stand by any longer, Dana decides to help the universe uncover the identity of the invisible cat.
And the two of them put their heads together and begin to gather evidence related to the identity of the invisible cat.

In the process, Woo-joo and Dana encounter people who express their aversion to stray cats, saying that they are disgusting, and an environment that is by no means friendly to stray cats.
That's why I welcome the occasional friendly nagging and unexpected attention.
Woojoo's dad fills the water bowl, saying that cats need to drink a lot of water, and Woojoo's mom sneakily lets him know that the cat's food bowl is empty, and there are also adults who take care of the stray cats and kittens that occasionally stop by.
Minjae, who keeps nagging me about when I'll show him my cat friend, also strangely keeps wandering around the universe.

The universe names the transparent cat 'Totto', meaning 'I hope you come back and eat me again.'
And with my precious friend, I take a step closer to Totto.
I mean, surrounded by the warmth and care of those around me.

Full of children
A lighthearted and lovely story

“In a world of recent fairy tales where sentences meant to please adults are trendily placed, this work feels entirely focused on the voices of children.” _Kim Ji-eun (children’s literature critic)

The reason the universe is looking for Totto isn't just to flatten Minjae's nose.
It's so cold that the water is frozen solid, so I'm worried that I might get sick, and I'm also afraid that bad people might harass me.
I just want to give Totto more of his favorite cat sausages and have fun playing with him.
But from some point on, the feed and water remain, and there is no trace of them.
I always feel bad for them, but if they are not visible and not by my side, are they not my friends?

As the promised date to find Totto approaches, Woojoo starts to get irritated and starts to grumble and drift away from Danawa.
But, as if to repay the universe for making a gift for Totto instead of the game pack he really wanted, an unexpected trace is discovered.
Four small circles on top of a large circle, these are Totto's footprints.
All this time, the universe ponders friendship, learns to put others before itself, and experiences deep sorrow.
And at the center of it all is a child who is growing and deepening little by little.

"The Transparent Cat Totto" not only arouses readers' curiosity until the very end, but also leaves a pleasant aftertaste that can be lingered on even after closing the book.
Furthermore, it makes us think again about the meaning of ‘fairy tales’, which tell children’s stories in children’s voices.
This is precisely why this lower grade fairy tale was selected as the grand prize winner despite competition between lower and upper grades.

Now, let's go out and find Totto with the universe and friends. With every step, you'll feel the excitement of wondering what's next, and the excitement of feeling your heart warm from the inside out.
Without even realizing it, a smile spread across my lips.