[About the product]
M.B. Goffstein's early masterpiece, ACROSS THE SEA, was released in 1968. We at Tonkachi have set the title of this dreamy masterpiece "Beyond the Sea" and will deliver it to you as Ishida Yuriko's first translation.
The original version of this book, "ACROSS THE SEA," is a phantom work that was considered a masterpiece, but has not been published in Japan. This is Goffstein's fourth picture book, published between two famous books in Japan, "Brookie and Her Lamb" and "Goldie the Dollmaker." The story consists of five independent stories, and begins with a story about an old man and I encounter across the sea across time and space, and then ends with a story about a gluttonous bird that appears in a carefree windmill. This story, which seems to be connected, but not clearly connected, depicts hope that will soon arrive, just a few centimeters away from stretching out the hands of their quiet everyday life, connected to the sea, sky and memories.
[About design]
Goffstein has a strong image of monochrome, but the original English version is printed in three colors: red, blue, and black. This color version will be reproduced in the original remastered version of the box set, and the Japanese version will be rethinking the coloring from scratch. Initially it was made into monochrome, but then changed to color. I changed the coloring multiple times and at the very end I settled on this color. The focus is that the colour of the sea differs slightly depending on the situation. And the colour of Sabo on an unknown girl (we call the cover and the girl that appears at the end). Sabo is a different colour on the left and right sides of Sophie (why?). And then there are red cavities flowing through the sea. We set up a "mystery" so that another story surrounding Sabo could be felt behind it. I had always decided to use "cloth" as the binding from the beginning, and the colour has finally settled here.
[From the production staff]
Despite my busy schedule, we re-done all the finished books, with the support of Ishida Yuriko's writings, who took on the translation. Two years have passed since we first came up with the idea, but it's all over and we still can't calmly face this book. It is certainly a book that, as Goffstein says, "I tried to reach the best I could to reach it." I'd be happy if you like it.
[Picture book synopsis]
My grandfather made for me, a squirrel in a cute hat, a big tree climbed with my dad, a Sophie picnic, a big bouquet stomped on a shoe boat, my windmill, my windmill, my windmill.
Episode 1: "Beyond the Sea"
Episode 2: "Squirrel Walk"
Episode 3: "Sophie's Picnic"
Episode 4: "Today's Day"
Episode 5: "Windmill"
[About the author]
M.B. Goffstein. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA in 1940. After graduating from university, he moved to New York and began working as a picture book author. He published his first picture book in 1966. Simple lines, spiritual and philosophical stories have an impact beyond the boundaries of children's books. He has written novels since 1989. In his later years he wrote stories and poetry about nature and heaven. He died on his 77th birthday in 2017.
[About the translator]
Ishida Yuriko
Born on October 3, 1969. Born in Tokyo. actress.
[To readers]
Tonkachi books can be ordered from bookstores nationwide. Please contact your local bookstore. If you are looking for this, please let us know the book name and ISBN code (13-digit number) and we will be able to find it smoothly.
→To all the bookstore staff
The cover uses cotton fabric and embossed foil processing. There may be slight individual differences in the finish, such as the fabric pattern and shade and misalignment of the foil. Thank you for your understanding.