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What happens when origami paper models magically spring to life?
This exciting graphic novel tells the story of Aya Wada, a teenage girl who visits her relatives in Japan and unknowingly adopts a powerful feline Kami spirit named Neko, who follows her home to America. Each chapter tells an amusing story about how Neko brings Aya's folded origami paper models to life—literally!
Follow along as Aya and Neko create magic, memories and a little mayhem wherever they go:
Each chapter includes instructions for a simple origami model that readers can fold using the illustrated tear-out folding papers that are included at the back of the book.
This exciting graphic novel tells the story of Aya Wada, a teenage girl who visits her relatives in Japan and unknowingly adopts a powerful feline Kami spirit named Neko, who follows her home to America. Each chapter tells an amusing story about how Neko brings Aya's folded origami paper models to life—literally!
Follow along as Aya and Neko create magic, memories and a little mayhem wherever they go:
- Neko reveals her existence on the return trip from Japan, helping Aya conjure up her first enchanted origami
- Aya folds a paper cockroach that scuttles across the floor of the school cafeteria, creating utter chaos!
- A paper dove pulled from a magician's hat during a talent show becomes an attacking bird demon!
- An origami fortune-teller model projects weird and wonderful images on Aya's bedroom ceiling
- Neko produces an animated paper puppet to illustrate how the spirit world can intersect with origami
- Aya and Neko team up to use their magical-origami talents to comfort a distraught preschooler at the playground
Each chapter includes instructions for a simple origami model that readers can fold using the illustrated tear-out folding papers that are included at the back of the book.
Price: $15.99
Pages: 128
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Imprint: Tuttle Publishing
Publication Date:
05 May 2026
Trim Size: 8.50 X 6.50 in
ISBN: 9784805319987
Format: Paperback
Featured in Publishers Weekly Spring Children's Preview
"Origami is put to unique uses in this lighthearted story and instructional guide…Ita's pleasantly rough-edged illustrations depict origami as a playful art more than a precise craft, and Aya…is a sarcastic but relatable protagonist, even for the origami unenthused. A quirky, fun introduction to the art of folding paper." —Kirkus
"Original, clever, and a fun read from start to finish" —Midwest Book Review
"The tutorials are perfect for this age or slightly older as well. I can see many kids truly enjoying this book and it is perfect for May for Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month." —Crafty Moms Share
"Origami is put to unique uses in this lighthearted story and instructional guide…Ita's pleasantly rough-edged illustrations depict origami as a playful art more than a precise craft, and Aya…is a sarcastic but relatable protagonist, even for the origami unenthused. A quirky, fun introduction to the art of folding paper." —Kirkus
"Original, clever, and a fun read from start to finish" —Midwest Book Review
"The tutorials are perfect for this age or slightly older as well. I can see many kids truly enjoying this book and it is perfect for May for Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month." —Crafty Moms Share
Sam Ita studied graphic design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and has developed a successful career as a paper engineer and author. He worked with Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, collaborating on many bestselling pop-up books including America the Beautiful and Encyclopedia Prehistorica, and has produced Christmas cards for the Museum of Modern Art. Sam draws inspiration from comics, origami and machines, applying his craft to publishing, advertising, animation, display and toy design. His creations include Christmas Tree In-a-Box and Flying Dragons Paper Airplane Kit. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.