Laura Langston and Victor Bosson, both of Victoria, who first collaborated on The Magic Ear, have created another Japanese tale with The Fox's Kettle (Orca, $7.95). Akoya extends hospitality to a samurai, who in the tradition of old Japan, is really a fox. He rewards Akoya with a black kettle that, as long as she cares for it as if it were her own child, will ensure the village rice crops flourish. But Akoya is ordered to leave all her belongings and join the landowner's household. Bosson has exhibited work in Morioka, Japan, an honour rarely given a non-Japanese artist. 1-55143-132-7 -- Louise Donnelly

[BCBW WINTER 1998]