Catalyst Castle

I read a new manga the other day called Yotsuba&! It's a heartwarming comedy about the day-to-day adventures of a little girl named Yotsuba, as she makes friends with her neighbors, and experiences the world around her. This story comes from Kiyohiko Azuma, the creator of Azumanga Daioh. It isn't as laugh-out-load hilarious, but it has a slightly more endearing touch, and very kid friendly humor.

Yotsuba is a very lovable character. She's very zany, and absurdly naive. A swing is a foreign object to her, and she is quickly confused by an explanation of air conditioners and their impact on global warming. What's adorable is how much joy she finds in the simplest things, like rain.

It’s like her dad says about her: "She can find happiness in everything. Nothing in this world can get her down. Nothing."

Exploring the world through the eyes of such a positive character makes for an uplifting read.