Today I present to you what is my Magnum Opus thus far in my crafting career: my Totoro Quiet Book and pattern. I worked on this project over several months, coming up with ideas, sketching them out, creating them in felt, and finally putting the pattern together and getting it up for sale on Etsy!
Is the word “Totoro” new to you? If you haven’t seen the Studio Ghibli movie “My Neighbor Totoro,” get it now! You’ll love it! It’s a sweet anime written and directed by the amazing Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. In recent years, his films have become big in the United States and other international markets, not just Japan. You might know of Ponyo or Spirited Away, but if you haven’t met Totoro yet, you are missing out!
Without further ado, here are some shots of my Quiet Book!
There are pages of quiet activities for your little one, starting with..
Finger puppets! The main cast members are here, including Mei, Satsuki, Big Totoro, Chu Totoro, Chibi Totoro, Catbus, and a Soot Sprite/Gremlin!
Make Satsuki’s lunch!
You, I mean, the child gets to make Satsuki’s bento lunch, just as she made it in the movie!
Help Totoro use Dad’s umbrella! The umbrella snaps into place as you teach Totoro how to use the umbrella instead of a leaf to protect him from the rain.
Untie the present that Totoro gave to Satsuki and Mei to find…
Nuts and acorns! They velcro on and off so the kids can play with them.
Next, wait with Mei to see when the seeds and acorns will sprout into…
Plants!
Next, you get to pick vegetables off the plants and place them in the basket, just like Satsuki and Mei do with Granny!
What a harvest!
Help Catbus find poor, lost Mei, who was just trying to take her corn to Mom in the hospital.
Poor, tired Mei.
Unsnap the ocarina flutes and match them to the correct Totoro!
Definitely an optional page, you can practice spelling TOTORO in English and Japanese, and store the letters/characters in the cute pouch when not in use!
And…. The End/Oshimai!
Featuring Soot Sprites!
If you are interested in the pattern to make your own Totoro Quiet Book, including detailed instructions, list of materials, helpful hints and shortcuts, check out the listing on my Etsy page! The pattern is available as an instant PDF download which includes instructions, pattern drawings, and plenty of photos as well.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/174363863/totoro-quiet-book-pattern?