A new year brings a fresh start for the Tanaka family.

In All in a Year, a picture book aimed at readers ages 3+, the Tanakas move out of their apartment into a cozy new home. With each new page, readers accompany the family through their daily lives and the changing seasons of the year.

In Chihiro Takeuchi’s wonderfully detailed papercut illustrations, the front of the Tanaka home is cut away providing fascinating glimpses inside. On one occasion, the children are creating artworks, on another they’re getting ready to go to the beach. Separate vignettes on each double-page spread provide a closer look at the day’s activities; many of them show the family and their friends gathered around the Tanaka’s dining table.

Readers can also see inside the shops on either side of the Tanaka home. And there is plenty of activity on the street outside, such as people walking dogs (and a crocodile!), cycling and scooting.

A couple of double spreads take the story out of the direct vicinity of the Tanaka home. One glorious illustration shows the people in the local park where the cherry trees are in full bloom. Another of my favorites has the sky lit up by fireworks during the Summer Festival, leading me to spend some time reading about Natsu Matsuri. Other celebrations featured include Halloween, Christmas and Hanukkah.

The changing seasons—spring, summer, autumn and winter—are specifically called out in the text and reinforced in the illustrations. Summer is announced with a bright blue sky with people on the street are dressed in lightweight clothing. Come winter, there’s snow on the ground and rooftops and a plethora of beanies.

Prompts on each spread invite readers to find or count things, like autumn leaves, cherry blossoms and a cat in-hiding. Each page is bursting with details, so curious readers are likely to find so much more to catch their attention. Even the end pages have something special in store, but you’ll have to discover that for yourself!

All in a Year is a treasure trove of a search-and-find book, which also highlights the concept of seasons and some much-loved cultural and religious celebrations. The Tanaka family are also great role models: active, creative, warm and friendly. Ideal neighbors!

All in a Year
Written and illustrated by Chihiro Takeuchi
Berbay Publishing, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-922610-65-2

Reviews: Kirkus

You can buy a copy of All in a Year here or find it in a library, here.*

Read my review of All in a Day another wonderful search-and-find book about the Tanaka family by Chihiro Takeuchi.

*Book purchases made via our affiliate link may earn GLLI a small commission at no cost to you.

Laura Taylor previously posted at Planet Picture Book, a world children’s literature blog she founded in 2017. She is a small business copywriter, NAATI-certified translator of French into English and member of AUSIT. When she is not writing, she is reading and spending time with her two young children. She occasionally tweets @plapibo