This fifth book about the imperturbable bicycle-riding youngsters is something of a departure for the Japanese series, taking them into the human landscape of a nearby town instead of a tiny, fantastical one in surrounding nature. How to get down at the end of the day? By blowing bubbles after eating ‘ripe and sparkling’ gumdrops, of course.“ Dring-dring, dring-dring!” Chirri and Chirra’s bicycle bells summon readers on another serene adventure. On this excursion, for instance, Chirri and Chirra take refreshment at a tiny woodland shop that’s only open on rainy days, ‘chrysanthemum tea with lemon marmalade,’ peppermint tea with green-apple syrup,’ ‘bowls of frozen raindrop candy,’ we read, devouring these delicacies with our eyes… When the friends-or siblings, it’s not clear-pedal away again, they feel a bit floaty and soon discover that they’re cycling above the rain, which falls beneath their wheels like a pretty blue curtain. The two adventurers are forever coming upon dear little cafes and hotels run by friendly animals each book finds them tucking into exquisite and surprising dainties. All is kindness, softness, curiosity and good fortune. There is no snark, no cynicism, no deceit or retribution in Chirri and Chirra’s world. “The arrival of a new Chirri & Chirra book is always a treat for those of us fond of deliciously illustrated tableaux in the books we read with children… The joy of these books lies in the pure enchantment that they offer to children ages 2-8. They cycle ever to the right across the spreads, which take advantage of the book’s unusual trim size to open to a 6.5-inch-tall by 18-inch-wide panorama that’s somehow both cozy and expansive. Another delightful outing in this winsome Japanese series.” - Kirkus Reviews Doi’s trademark illustrations, made with colored pencils to evoke the look of mid-20th-century lithographs, depict the protagonists with pale skin, rosy cheeks, and black pageboys.

Shortly after the drops begin to fall, they happen upon a shop that is ‘only open on rainy days.’ After some tea, each buys a raincoat, and they set back out on a trip that only turns more magical: The rain starts ‘falling from below,’ stopping at the bottoms of their wheels and lifting them up to treetop level. Of course, their ride in the rain is far from a slog. “It’ll take more than rain to dampen the moods of indefatigable bicyclists Chirri and Chirra.

Chirri and chirra book set