Boy Washing His Face

A boy brushing his teeth, washing his face, and wiping his face with a towel: this one illustration combines three different actions being performed by the child. This is one scene from I Can Do It By Myself, a picture book that highlights the everyday life of a small boy who has begun learning how to do his things on his own. Initially issued as the 12th volume of a monthly picture-book publication launched in 1956 called Kodomo no Tomo, the work was later published in March of 1957, marking Chihiro’s first picture book. Over the main character, Chihiro overlaid the image of her son, who was attending kindergarten at the time, and carefully depicted each of his many adorable gestures.