Sky Sweeper by Phillis Gershator

As a young boy, Takeboki seeks and finds a job. He becomes the flower keeper at the temple. Despite the urgings of his friends and family to find a better job, Takeboki keeps on keeping (and sweeping) the flowers. He knows his own importance. AS an old man, he becomes the sky sweeper.

What I thought: A lovely story with beautiful illustrations. Meade really captured the Japanese setting with her collages. The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Bridges and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo would be a good book to pair with Sky Sweeper.

(Illus. Holly Meade. New York: Melanie Kroupa, 2007)