Wabi Sabi

Written by Mark Reibstein · Illustrated by Ed Young

A cat's quest for her name's meaning reveals beauty in simplicity and imperfection.

4.2 Goodreads · 1,903 ratings

40 pages· 1,250 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud· AD780L

$19.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

In Kyoto, a curious cat named Wabi Sabi embarks on a journey to understand her enigmatic name. Her quest leads her through the heart of Japanese philosophy, where beauty is found in simplicity and imperfection. As Wabi Sabi explores, she uncovers the profound elegance hidden in the ordinary. Will she find the answers she seeks, or discover something even more meaningful? This tale, woven with haiku and stunning collages, invites readers to see the world through new eyes, embracing the unexpected beauty in life's imperfections.

From the publisher

The award-winning and New York Times bestselling book about a cat named Wabi Sabi who searches for the meaning of her name Wabi Sabi, a little cat in Kyoto, Japan, had never thought much about her name until friends visiting from another land asked her owner what it meant.

At last, the master

Says, “That’s hard to explain.” And

That is all she says.

This unsatisfying answer sets Wabi Sabi on a journey to uncover the meaning of her name, and on the way discovers what wabi sabi is: a Japanese philosophy of seeing beauty in simplicity, the ordinary, and the imperfect.

Using spare text and haiku, Mark Reibstein weaves an extraordinary story about finding real beauty in unexpected places. Caldecott Medal-winning artist Ed Young complements the lyrical text with breathtaking collages. Together, they illustrate the unique world view that is wabi sabi.