“YES, COME ALONG. OUR FRIEND IS YOUR FRIEND”: FIRST EDITION OF WHERE ARE YOU GOING? TO SEE MY FRIEND!, SIGNED BY ERIC CARLE

CARLE, Eric and IWAMURA, Kazuo. Where Are You Going? To See My Friend! [Tokyo]: Doshin-sha Publishing Co., (2001). Oblong quarto, original pictorial boards, pictorial endpapers, original dust jacket. $1250.

True first edition, preceding the American first edition, of this colorful, bilingual celebration of friendship, signed by co-author and -illustrator Eric Carle on the title page.

"This lively and rhythmic, bilingual picture book is told in dialogue, with rebus-like symbols used to identify speakers. It details an energetic romp with a dog, cat, rooster, goat, rabbit, and a child, all of whom become friends. Carle's familiar collage technique is employed in the book's first half, while Iwamura's gentle watercolor illustrations, combined with the Japanese text, make up the second half. The two texts are divided by a gatefold that includes the music and lyrics to the song 'Where Are You Going? To See My Friend!' in English and Japanese. An irresistible, spirited ode to friendship" (School Library Journal). This bilingual edition published in Tokyo precedes the American edition from the same year. With publisher's material laid in.

Fine condition.