Japanese Yokai: Explore the Magical World of Monsters, Demons and Mythical Creatures

by Fleur Daugey, Sande Thommen (illustrator)

Have you ever seen a yokai?

Stories about yokai are used in Japan to explain mysterious and magical events. These mythical creatures give a name and a form to the strange and uncanny things happening all around us.

This colorful guide in picture book format is a funny, fast and slightly spooky introduction to the stars of the Japanese yokai world.

The classic tales and descriptions by Fleur Daugey combine with Sande Thommen's delightful illustrations to introduce over 30 wild and supernatural creatures, The Kitsune, a freaky fox with paranormal powersThe Kasa-obake, a one-eyed one-legged umbrella with a long, slithery tongueKurokamikiri, a shaggy bearlike beast that sneaks up on you and cuts your hairNuppeppo, a flabby, wrinkly blob that lives in graveyards and smells of rotten meatHanako, a bathroom-dwelling ghost girlAnd many more!Yokai are out there, lurking among us—creating mischief and mayhem, or in some cases helping us or just having fun. With Japanese Yokai, the next time something eerie or strange happens, you'll know who's responsible!

48 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Après des études en psychologie et en éthologie, Fleur Daugey a consacré le début de sa carrière à plusieurs ONG de conservation de la nature avant de se tourner vers l’écriture et le journalisme. Son inspiration lui vient principalement des êtres qui peuplent la nature : animaux, plantes et parfois l’être humain.

Fleur Daugey a reçu le prix Amerigo Vespucci jeunesse 2015 pour son album Oiseaux Globe-Trotters publié aux éditions Actes Sud junior.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part description of yokai and part stories of yokai. Great illustrations and fun to read but is more an overview, so a great introduction to yokai (and not too scary for kids).

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a shame this was a library book because I would love to have kept it.
(Guess I will just have to find my own copy).
Tanuki and Kappa are my favourite Yokai but it was wonderful to read about all the other creatures.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched and carefully illustrated, this magazine-style layout in a hardcover book presents a variety of "yokai" or spirits, monsters, and mythological creatures from Japan.

Useful as a reference source for kamishibai performances, which often feature these characters.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colorful, informative book for kids about Japanese spirits. The artwork is based on Japanese woodcuts. I wish they would have used the real art it's based on, but these probably are less scary. This is short, but would be a good place for kids who want to start learning about Japanese mythology.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 This is a good introductory book for kids on what yokai are and provides examples on popular yokai (albeit they are extremely tamed like most children's stories). Easy to understand and the illustrations are fun.

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Très sympa et adapté aux enfants