I am looking for a children’s book, possibly called “One Morning” or something similar, that my parents read to me sometime between 1993-1997, although it could have been published earlier. I think it was about a businessman getting ready to go to work early in the morning. It had very few words, but I remember the illustration style being pretty distinct. I believe the illustrations were collages, although not as textured as, say, Eric Carle’s work. The page I (think!) I remember most clearly was from the perspective of a person on the street looking at a house very early in the morning, with a backlit window and a cat sitting on the windowsill, maybe peeping out from some venetian blinds or possibly just behind glass. My parents remember the book I’m thinking of and seem to think it had Japanese or Scandinavian roots, or at least design influences, but the book was at very least translated into English. The copy I remember holding was a relatively small, square white hardcover. The overall energy of the book was calm and cozy, but I really can’t remember anything else. Google searches for “one morning children’s book” always return the classic Robert McCloskey “One Morning in Maine,” another favorite but definitely not this mysterious and elusive title! I wish I had more to go on, and I so appreciate any leads!
‘One Morning’ by Yohji Izawa, Canna Funakoshi.
One Morning, by Yohji Izawa and Canna Funakoshi.
THANK YOU!!!!! Solved!
Sounds like ‘One Morning’ by Yohji Izawa and Canna Funakoshi, published 1986
Fits your description of simple text, Japanese roots, paper collage, morning routine, and cat!
Link: https://www.amazon.com/One-Morning-Yohji-Izawa/dp/0887080332