Although the activity was successful right from the beginning, there is no question that the design I produced for the first one wasn't really suitable. Images from popular culture seemed to be the way to go to get them interested in trying to make their own print, but I refused to give in and use something like 'Kitty Chan' or Mickey Mouse.

But just that year the movie 'My Neighbour Totoro' was a giant hit in Japan, so when fall came around and the community centre people called to remind me of the upcoming festival, I grabbed at the famous 'Neko Basu' for the theme.

The kids lined up for blocks to make their print!

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