The Village Beyond the Mist

“Filled with whimsy, wonder, and wisdom, Lina’s journey will have all of us looking for magical villages just a step away.” — Wendy Mass, author of The Candymakers

“Ten minutes after closing the book, I was already wishing to return to the delightful Absurd Avenue in Misty Valley. This is a small, bright gem of a tale about bravery, kindness, care, and community, and wonder after wonder, in the very kind of magical town I adore. May we all, like Lina, be ready to follow when magic beckons, and take a chance on adventure. (Even—especially?—when we have to earn it!)” — Kate Milford, author of Greenglass House

“Beautiful and whimsical, the mist of enchantment hangs in the air on every page as Lina discovers Absurd Avenue’s many wonders. A true celebration of the magic to be found in community.” — Kate Albus, author of A Place to Hang the Moon

"Teetering on the edge of absurdity, the tale reads like a parable, simultaneously simple and profound, infused with a timeless message about the importance of community." — Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“A new kind of Japanese fantasy with humorous episodes and a mixture of western and rustic atmosphere . . . and original charm in the details.” — International Institute for Children’s Literature Osaka, One Hundred Japanese Books for Children

“You can feel the whimsical energy that inspired Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, but this short fable is a masterpiece on its own. Adventurous and hopeful while conveying the rewards of hard work and community. This would make a delightful read-aloud.” — Ashlee Null, Vroman’s Bookstore

“Readers get to spend a wondrous summer in a magical village in this delightful Japanese classic in translation. Lina earns her keep working with magical pottery, mystical books, a friendly tiger, and so much more in this slim volume. Images from this book will stick with readers over their lives like a misty memory.” — Robin Stern, Books Inc.

“The type of whimsical story that you read as a child, remember as an adult, and find yourself frantically searching for again. Perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones, Eva Ibbotson, and Patricia C. Wrede.” — Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books

“Nostalgic charm covers this story nicely, including all the oddities that brings. I enjoyed seeing how it differs from Spirited Away and what was the same or similar. I liked the episodic nature of Lina’s various jobs, the interesting characters she interacts with, and the simple truth that contributing to your community in whatever way you can brings a lot of satisfaction.” — Jenny Craig, Seattle Public Library

“It is a story that reminds us of the importance of finding out what we can do and interacting with each other . . . it warms the heart bluntly.” — mi-mollet