Geekscape Review: ‘My Neighbor Totoro: A Novel’

Often books are made into movies and sometimes the reverse happens. It is a way to relive the film and maybe see it in a new light. Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film, My Neighbor Totoro (which turns 25 this year!), has received this treatment and is now available as a hardcover book! This book also includes original watercolor illustrations by Miyazaki which are beautiful and finally all together in one book for the first time. As you read the book, Miyazaki’s watercolor illustrations make the pages come to life.

The book was written by Japanese children’s book author Tsugiko Kubo. I watched My Neighbor Totoro many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed reliving the film through Kubo’s words. The book is pretty easy to read though there are some big words for the young adult reader. The pacing flows well and I enjoyed reading about how Satsuki (the main character) really felt and thought; the way only a book can tell you. In a time where books are moving to the digital medium, it is nice to hold this book in your hands and turn the pages. It is compact in size with a lovely cover.

My Neighbor TOTORO: The Novel is about two young girls, Satsuki (age eleven) and her younger sister Mei (age four), who move to the countryside from Tokyo with their father in order to be closer to their mother, who is in a special hospital. The house they move into is a bit rundown but that only makes the girls more determined to make it a comfortable home. However, they are not alone in their new place. There are soot sprites and other magical creatures that live there but quickly disappear from sight with the new tenants. Near their home is a magnificent giant Laurel tree that is home to the forest spirit Totoro who mysteriously leads the girls on some magical adventures.

The story is charming and the book focuses on family and friendship and people helping each other out. If you have already seen the film, you will enjoy approaching the story from a new perspective, or may want to get it to share with someone who has yet to experience the wonder of My Neighbor Totoro. If you are not familiar with this story at all, you should check out what made it a classic!

My Neighbor TOTORO: The Novel is available for $17.99.

Also to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary, VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library will debut an updated edition of the MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO Picture Book available for $19.99!