An autumn trip aboard a squirrel taxi

"Travel is a Squirrel Taxi" is a picture book that depicts a day in the life of a "squirrel taxi" that can take you anywhere in the blink of an eye with just one acorn.
It starts with the squirrels smiling brightly as they head to work early in the morning, and ends with them toasting with peanut juice after a hard day's work.

The fun of this book comes, above all, from the bright and lively energy that the characters exude.
The squirrel knights are so lively and lively that as you turn the pages, a line from the nursery rhyme "Squirrel" comes to mind.
Of course, the main characters in this picture book are not baby squirrels who go on a picnic with acorn lunches, but adult squirrels who drive taxis, do their share of work, and buy lunch at the taxi driver's restaurant.

Unlike the previous works, "Travel is Swallow Airlines" and "Travel is Goo Goo Airlines," which took their animal guests on airplanes and flew them over mountains and across rivers to faraway places, this new work puts its guests in taxis and drives them along roads to familiar places near their living spaces.
It's like the animals who once traveled abroad are now embarking on a domestic journey. The route is shorter and the scale smaller than in previous installments, but don't be discouraged.
The 'Town Square', 'Cancan Street', and 'Sand Castle Park' guided by the squirrel taxi are full of familiar yet exciting sights, making it feel like the whole family is enjoying a local festival.
The season in the book is autumn, just like these days.
This picture book, filled with plump acorns, pine cones, and piles of fallen leaves, would be perfect for taking on an autumn outing, spreading out a mat, and reading together with the whole family.

"Where shall I take you, sir? The fee is one tree nut."

This book vividly portrays a day in the life of a squirrel taxi driver, from the morning commute to the evening commute.
One autumn morning, squirrels go to work at a 'taxi company' nestled in a tree trunk.
Everyone has a smiling and excited face.
The squirrels who arrived at the company prepare to leave by looking in the mirror, fixing their appearance, having a cup of tea, and praying with acorns.
Slogans like “Everyone, get along!” “Always be clean!” and “Drive safely, awake or asleep” are posted in every corner of the company.


Once you're ready, it's time to go! Squirrel Taxi's day begins in earnest.
The squirrels happily drive the taxi with a nut in their mouth that they received as a fee.
Since he is good at memorizing directions, he takes his guests to their destinations without getting lost.
Taking the snail guest to the 'Town Square', taking the banana bug guest to 'Cancan Street'...
When it's lunchtime, the squirrel knights quickly eat their lunch and take a nap.
Even driving requires taking breaks.

In the afternoon, you receive two tree nuts and ride a family of tourist frogs.
Now is the time for Squirrel Taxi to show off its true skills.
It is called 'Sky Walk'.
A squirrel taxi carrying a family of frogs runs and runs through the trees.
Climb to the top and pop! The frog family opens their eyes wide and lets out a gasp.
“Wow, it really feels like I’m flying!” Below the flying squirrel taxi, the places we’ve seen so far look down on us from afar.

As night falls, the squirrel taxis return to the office one by one.
Even after work, the energetic and lively squirrels flock to the Beetle Restaurant to toast with acorn juice.
The autumn night deepens into warmth and peace.

The more you look at it, the more interesting and beautiful it becomes.
The joy of discovering hidden stories in every corner!

As in the previous installments, author Motoyasu Keiji hides cute and fun devices in every scene, beckoning readers to delve deeper into the story.
The repetitive story of a squirrel taxi picking up and dropping off passengers becomes more exciting the more you watch it thanks to the meticulous details.

For example, the best-selling author Banana Bug, pen name Kim Banana, who also appeared in the previous episode, diligently roams the alleyways of a travel destination this time to cover the story.
As you flip through the pages, you will come across Kim Banana, walking down a street somewhere while looking at a map.
Maybe no matter how hard you open your eyes, you won't be able to find Mr. Kim Banana.
Just like Willy from the Where's Willy series, who is visible and invisible.

It's also quite fun to look at all the shops, buildings, and signs lining the streets.
On the bustling 'Cancan Street', a musical is in full swing, and the signs all look familiar.
〈Sleep tight!〉, 〈Memmeum Boots〉, 〈Buckago〉.
The author's wit makes me laugh.

Among the shops, the most eye-catching is the Pine Tree House, a restaurant frequented by squirrel knights.
This restaurant, which specializes in pine cone rice bowls, has posted a 'Event in progress' sign on the glass wall.
“If you collect 10 stamps, you will receive a shrimp tempura keychain.” I thought it was strange that a squirrel was a shrimp tempura, so I looked closer and saw that the word ‘pine cone’ was written in small letters in front of the shrimp tempura.
It seems that Japan, like us, calls the pine cones left behind by squirrels and chipmunks in the fall “shrimp fritters.”

In Animal Village, there are several companies engaged in the transportation business besides Squirrel Taxi.
“Turtle Transportation” that promotes “We take your time and move comfortably,” “Jamjari Delivery” that specializes in light luggage, “Jine Moving Service” that advertises “We have so many feet! The easiest moving in the world!”, “Wild Rat Cooperative” that delivers delicious rice, and “Insect Cart” that slowly tours tourist attractions carrying tiny insect guests… … .
It is very heartwarming to see beings with different speeds and strengths living together peacefully at their own pace.
All of them are beautiful scenery.