Editorial review

ぬまの100かいだてのいえ

Name: ぬまの100かいだてのいえ
ISBN: 9784033502908

いわいとしお／偕成社

Down to the bottom of the pond: a 100-floor house for freshwater creatures

The sixth 100かいだてのいえ book takes the series to the bottom of a pond, where carp, crayfish, soft-shelled turtles and many lesser-known freshwater creatures live. Detailed, vertical-format pages that spark curiosity about nature.

Publisher states: 3歳から
NIPIKO Books suggests: 4–8 yrs

Series: 100かいだてのいえ · Book 6 →

About the book

ぬまの100かいだてのいえ (roughly 'The 100-Storey House in the Pond') is the sixth and newest book in いわいとしお's series, published by Kaiseisha in October 2023. On a windy day, a huge round rock called the 'full-moon rock' tumbles into a pond and lands right next to Uzu, a small tadpole-like creature. The trouble that follows leads Uzu to a mysterious house at the bottom of the pond.

The story and what makes it special

This time the residents are freshwater creatures such as carp, giant water bugs, crayfish and soft-shelled turtles, along with smaller species whose names even adults may not know. The book opens vertically like the rest of the series, the residents change every ten floors, and every floor is carefully detailed.

Summarised from reader feedback

Why children love it

Reviews on 絵本ナビ and reader letters on the Kaiseisha page describe children studying each floor intently and being fascinated by creatures they had never met before. Many like the hero Uzu and the dramatic opening with the falling rock, and several readers mention enjoying a surprise near the end.

What parents may appreciate

Parents say the book widens children's interest in living things; some families look the creatures up in a picture encyclopedia before or after reading. Several note that although the word 'pond' or 'swamp' might sound gloomy, the mood is just as cheerful as earlier volumes, and they enjoy the unusual, varied cast of residents.

Things to consider

No significant concerns are reported. In practice, some of the creatures are unfamiliar, so having a nature book handy helps with the questions that follow. One child in the publisher's reader letters found a brief dramatic moment a bit strong. Because this is the newest title, there are fewer reviews than for earlier volumes.

Recommended age

Publisher states: 3歳から
NIPIKO Books suggests: 4–8 yrs

The publisher's stated age is 「3歳から」 (from age 3). NIPIKO Books's editorial suggestion is roughly ages 4 to 8, since much of the fun comes from discovering less familiar creatures; three-year-olds can still enjoy the pictures when read to.

Reading-together ideas

Keep a picture guide to pond or river life nearby and look up any creature you don't recognise.
Before each page turn, guess which pond creature will live on the next ten floors.
On a visit to a pond or aquarium, try to spot creatures you met in the book.

NIPIKO Books editorial assessment

NIPIKO Books's recommendation

NIPIKO Books suggests this book for children who love animals and picture encyclopedias, and for those who enjoyed うみの100かいだてのいえ. It also makes a welcome addition for families collecting the series. Reading it alongside a nature guide can turn it into a small exploration of freshwater life.