Elections and democracy from a child's perspective!
A fable of our time for children and parents to read together!

Shall I tell you a story about Mouse Land? In Mouse Land, they vote once every four years.
We are electing a leader to lead the country.
But all those leaders are... fat, chubby cats, what the heck! Is it okay for cats to rule over a country of mice? What's good for cats doesn't necessarily mean it's good for mice.
What do you guys think?

Is it okay for a cat to rule over a country of mice?

There is a country where mice live, eat, sleep, play, and work just like us.
In this country, like us, we vote once every four years to elect our leaders.
But the mice always choose fat cats as their leaders.
If you think a black cat is going to be a harsh politician, you vote for a white cat. If you think a white cat is going to be a harsh politician, you vote for a black cat.
Sometimes I try to pick a half white cat and half black cat, and sometimes I try to pick a tabby cat.


But the mice's lives show no signs of improving.
Because the policies or laws proposed by cats cannot possibly help mice.
Still, the mice can't seem to give up their expectations of the cat.
No, I can't even imagine that someone other than a cat could rule a country.
Then a mouse cautiously brings up the subject.
"Shouldn't a mouse country be ruled by mice? Now, what if we chose a mouse like us as our leader? Even if we had to draw lots, wouldn't that be better than choosing a cat?"

Vote for politicians who understand the needs of the people and represent their interests!

"Land of Mice, Parliament of Cats" is based on a 1962 speech to Parliament by Canadian politician Tommy Douglas.
He is the politician who introduced the national health insurance system in Canada, and to this day, he is loved and respected by the people, to the point of being considered the 'greatest Canadian.'
The same goes for Tommy Douglas' speech to Congress.
Even now, nearly 70 years later, it is brought up again and again every election season.
Why is his story still relevant?

"The Cat Congress of Mouse Country" contains a detailed account of the actions of various politicians we have seen in the past, and perhaps still see today.
It's like a black cat that only thinks about squeezing the people to fill its own stomach, a white cat that hits the people in the back of the head with empty promises, and a tabby cat that pretends to be a commoner but turns its back on them.
Moreover, it also reflects our own image of being repeatedly deceived by such politicians, yet still not being able to give up our hopes.
“The problem with mouse country is that the mouse holes are round.
“If you elect us, we will make your hole square.” Can we confidently say that the image of mice voting for such a ridiculous statement is not our current image?

"Mouse Country, Cat Congress" pinpoints two things we need right now.
The eye that can tell the difference between a 'cat thinking of a mouse' and the conviction that 'even if we had to draw lots, a mouse would be better than a cat.'
Furthermore, it instills the belief that the right choice for the majority, even if it takes a little longer, will ultimately change the world.


A book for children and parents to read and discuss together

I think this might be the first time that Tommy Douglas's speech to Congress has been made into a picture book that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
Two young authors, one from France and one from China, cleverly reinterpret this ancient speech and present it in a way that appeals to children today.
I hope that children and parents, students and teachers will watch it together and talk about elections and democracy.


If you are still young, you may enjoy reading this book as just a fun fable.
Even if it doesn't happen right away, someday the seeds sown in this book will take root and sprout in the hearts of children.
For older friends, it might be a good idea to look for examples of politicians who correspond to each cat.
Politicians who wield their tyranny without regard for the suffering of the people, politicians who deceive the people with astonishing propaganda and agitation and drive the country to ruin, and politicians who are busy 'cosplaying the common people' every time election season comes around - these exist beyond time and space.
It means looking back on the past and preparing for the future.


Even for adults, this book has many heart-wrenching passages.
Have our past elections not been about choosing cats of different colors? Have we been fooled by the cat's sweet talk, or have we been fooled by it all along? Have we even been believing ourselves to be cats and not mice?
But I think the first place this book should reach is the hearts of children.
I hope that children who read this book will grow up to be adults who are not fooled by the "cat that thinks like a mouse," and that they will create a world where such cats cannot have a foothold.