What do you think?
Rate this book
Tonari no Totoro
Mei, a four-year-old girl, and her older sister, Satsuki, move with their father to an old house in the country, where the girls meet a group of amazing creatures called "totoros."
111 pages, JP Oversized
First published January 1, 1988
14 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
366 books3,489 followersHayao Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 駿) is a celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of animation. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the animation studio responsible for producing many of Japan’s most beloved and internationally acclaimed animated films. Over the course of a career spanning decades, Miyazaki has developed a reputation for creating visually rich, emotionally resonant stories that often explore themes such as nature, pacifism, flight, childhood, and the human condition.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 23, 2021
"It must be Totoro...I finally saw Totoro!"
Why do I love reading books over watching movies...idk I'm just wired that way ( imagination ftw )!
But exceptions exist...
It's Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli movie...'nuff said! ( what Disney is to the world...Studio Ghibli is to Japan )
PS: I love Japan and I love how Studio Ghibli films & soundtracks make me fall in love with it even more!
Why do I love reading books over watching movies...idk I'm just wired that way ( imagination ftw )!
But exceptions exist...
It's Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli movie...'nuff said! ( what Disney is to the world...Studio Ghibli is to Japan )
PS: I love Japan and I love how Studio Ghibli films & soundtracks make me fall in love with it even more!
September 22, 2024
I got this for my birthday 😄 *happy dance*
This has got to be my favourite Studio Ghibli Movie 💕
This has got to be my favourite Studio Ghibli Movie 💕
September 23, 2016
** Books 238 - 2016 **
4,2 of 5 stars!
Definitely it will be my most all-time-favorite children books! I just loved the illustration and the story is! I think starting now i will start to collect Studio Ghiblis books for my wannabe children!
Reading this books on September 19th, 2016
The Lower East Nine Hostel at Kyoto, Japan
4,2 of 5 stars!
Definitely it will be my most all-time-favorite children books! I just loved the illustration and the story is! I think starting now i will start to collect Studio Ghiblis books for my wannabe children!
Reading this books on September 19th, 2016
The Lower East Nine Hostel at Kyoto, Japan
Read
September 17, 2020Normally I wouldn't put one of my kid's books on my Goodreads list. But I have read its roughly 100 pages enough times for it to count.
January 16, 2025
Rakastin tätä. Tykkäsin itse elokuvastakin jo ja tämä perustui siihen, joten ei voinut mennä vikaan. Pidän kuvista, tarinankerronta on tosi hyvää ja mukaansa tempaavaa. Ja selkeä tarina, sellainen että vaikka ei osaisi englantia, jo kuvat kertovat osan tarinaa. Tietenkin siitä saa enemmän jos osaa englantia.
October 9, 2024
just as cute as the movie
November 18, 2008
in the time where the visual's interpretation limit the boundary of imagination absorbing from the experience of reading...Miyazaki made it the other way around...he simply showed that visual arts are vehicles to move the boundary of imagination to an even greater dimension...unlimited!
i love all of the creations and adaptations of Hayao Miyazaki, he is a genius...i collected all of the anime by studio Ghibli(now owned by Disney) because of Miyazaki sensei.
in the case of Hayao Miyazaki's creations i'm kinda obsessive i have to admit i compulsively hunt for every anime created by him and look for the manga/novel after watching the anime...and Nausicaa has been named as one of the best by him. (geee you must see Laputa 'the castle in the sky' or Zen to Chihiro 'spirited away', and howls moving castle won an award in the children movie in Venice and dont forget My Neighbor Totoro where the Ghibli adopted it's logo...i can go on and on about it and you'll get bored)
Miyazaki sensei, ganbatte kudasai...arigato!
(for complete summary of Miyazaki and his creations, pls visit nausicaa: www.nausicaa.net)
i love all of the creations and adaptations of Hayao Miyazaki, he is a genius...i collected all of the anime by studio Ghibli(now owned by Disney) because of Miyazaki sensei.
in the case of Hayao Miyazaki's creations i'm kinda obsessive i have to admit i compulsively hunt for every anime created by him and look for the manga/novel after watching the anime...and Nausicaa has been named as one of the best by him. (geee you must see Laputa 'the castle in the sky' or Zen to Chihiro 'spirited away', and howls moving castle won an award in the children movie in Venice and dont forget My Neighbor Totoro where the Ghibli adopted it's logo...i can go on and on about it and you'll get bored)
Miyazaki sensei, ganbatte kudasai...arigato!
(for complete summary of Miyazaki and his creations, pls visit nausicaa: www.nausicaa.net)
March 14, 2020
Victoria thinks:
Totoro is a beautiful creature created by Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli. I love anime animals and characters. Please add this book to your shelf’s want to read.🦄🦊🐱🐻🐰🐸🐦🐗🐙🐡🦀🦐🦗🦟🐢🐗🦆🐥🐔🐧🐵🙈🙉🙊🐒🐣🐸🐯🐰🐹🐨🐭🐼 🐒 🐒
Mom thinks:
This is a beautiful book you can look at every time you miss Totoro and can’t find him among the trees. Go read it. Now. 😉
Totoro is a beautiful creature created by Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli. I love anime animals and characters. Please add this book to your shelf’s want to read.🦄🦊🐱🐻🐰🐸🐦🐗🐙🐡🦀🦐🦗🦟🐢🐗🦆🐥🐔🐧🐵🙈🙉🙊🐒🐣🐸🐯🐰🐹🐨🐭🐼 🐒 🐒
Mom thinks:
This is a beautiful book you can look at every time you miss Totoro and can’t find him among the trees. Go read it. Now. 😉
January 2, 2012
Totoro lovers will treasure this lovely hardback version of the story. With pictures straight from the film, I think this is the perfect way to introduce someone to the tale, or to go back and peruse your favorite parts. I could hear the soundtrack in the background as I was reading! Love it!
February 6, 2017
Mostly I loved this because I bought it to read with my two-and-a-half year-old kiddo, and he loved it, and we read the entire thing in almost one sitting. He then, the next day, asked to read it again!
January 26, 2008
It's Totoro... 'nuff said.
January 19, 2016
This is a wonderful anime movie with fascinating characters. The book has photos and information from the movie and is a must if you liked the anime movie.
August 8, 2017
absolutely gorgeous art that had me feeling nostalgic of my childhood and all the warm fuzzies along with it
April 18, 2018
I love this story and book! It warms my heart and now I can share it with my granddaughter!
August 20, 2018
Beautiful
February 22, 2019
Vera Sun says: I like the way Totoro roars and I like to roar with Totoro. I like Totoro.
June 10, 2019
A tale of a family that lies in Japan during WWII or sometime after the war.
March 24, 2019
Beautiful illustrations
July 16, 2019
Basically this is the book to the movie, so nothing new! The last page did break my heart a little bit though, the page from Miyazaki talking about WHY he made the movie.
October 28, 2019
Successfully reading or flipping through this in place of screen time!
September 7, 2023
Beautiful story about appreciating nature. This book is interesting because there’re additional explanation about the Totoro map and descriptions of each character, which are not explained in the film. I love this picture book so much! This book as beautiful as the anime. My favorite ghost character and one of my fave films from Studio Ghibli. Berharap bisa mengunjungi Jepang sekali lagi untuk mengunjungi ghibli museum dan membeli banyak pernak pernik ghibli. Worth buying and worth collecting! 💚💚
October 21, 2025
Silas and I were at the library, and we asked if they had a Totoro book in. The librarian found us this in the Chinese language section of the Children's area, and we've looked through this whole book a dozen times. "Cat bus!" "To-to-ro!" Whenever he sees a drawing of an acorn in another picture book Silas says "Mae, Totoro."
Read
September 28, 2025This is just the cutest thing ever. I love this book so much I can hardly find words as lovely as what I think about the book in my mind to talk about it. And what is even better is the fact that my children absolutely love this book (and Totoro, of course!) as well!
July 2, 2020
A wonderful companion book to the film!
Read
October 26, 2021read this on video call for my friends as a bedtime story
January 5, 2023
great
December 31, 2023
This was my son's favorite movie as a child. I hadn't realized until today that there was a picture book that accompanied the movie. It is beautiful.
January 2, 2025
Totoro never disappoints. The picture book is long but absolutely wonderful.
April 5, 2025
jolie découverte j’ai hâte de voir le film maintenant :)
Currently reading
September 5, 2025Need to finish this soon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews