Description: A 1.8-million-copy bestseller in Japan, from the creator of the beloved 'Bread Thief' series! Winner of the No. 1 Tsutaya Picture Book Award, the Moe Picture Book Award, and the Libro Picture Book Award — here comes the brand-new, piping-hot picture book from author Keiko Shibata, 'Pumpkin Bathhouse'! ★ Praise for 'Pumpkin Bathhouse' ★ "The twist is so unexpected, I wanted to read it again and again." — Reader review, Honto "A cozy, heartwarming story that's also incredibly funny." — Reader review, Ehon Navi "My child asks me to read it every single day." — Reader review, Shogakukan "The perfect picture book for cold weather! I want to try every single bathhouse." — Reader review, Rakuten Booklog "Every page turn adds more fun, and the surprising twists made me laugh so much." — Reader review, Amazon Warm, sweet, and delightful — a delicious winter bathhouse adventure! Bear, Alpaca, and Cat are the best of friends who play together every day — and they even happen to share the same snow-white fur! One chilly day, as the three friends walk together through the forest, a mouthwateringly delicious smell drifts through the air. Following their noses, they discover an enormous pumpkin, filled to the brim with sweet, delicious soup. A sign reads "Pumpkin Soup Bathhouse," and beneath it, another message: "Today is a very cold day. Please relax as long as you like in the warm bath. But whatever you do, do not eat the soup!" The three friends climb into the warm, cozy bath and let their bodies thaw. But soon their tummies start to rumble, and even though they were told not to, they can't resist — they gulp down the sweet soup. Suddenly, their once snow-white fur turns completely the color of pumpkin soup! No amount of scrubbing with a towel can wash it away. With no other choice, they trudge on down the road, until they stumble upon a white stew bathhouse. Once again, a sign warns them not to eat the stew — but surely, eating the stew might turn their fur back to its original color? Will the three friends be able to resist the temptation of the delicious stew this time? Every new bathhouse they discover brings a new flavor — and a new adventure! The more you're told not to do something, the more you want to do it! An irresistibly silly and hilariously funny story featuring shameless yet lovable, quirky characters. Author Keiko Shibata, who captivated readers with the 'Bread Thief' series, now weaves together delicious food and playful imagination to bring us an utterly unique bathhouse tale. Thanks to the clever idea of comparing a warm, delicious bowl of soup to a "bathhouse," a sensory-rich bathing adventure begins. Our irrepressible heroes — who want to do exactly what they're told not to, and whose curiosity always wins out over reason — will remind you of the adorable, mischievous children in your own life. Each time the three friends encounter a new bathhouse, they casually break the rules and are met with a delightfully unpredictable twist, drawing readers deeper and deeper into the story. Thanks to its repetitive structure, readers can turn each page wondering with delight what will happen next. The ever-changing expressions on the three friends' faces, along with the charming and distinctive bathhouse shapes — a pumpkin, a pot, a cup — add even more visual delight. What kind of bathhouse will appear next? Will the three friends be able to resist temptation this time? This warm and cheerful winter picture book, full of joyfully subverted expectations, is guaranteed to bring a smile to every reader's face.