Book: "Still Stuck"

The cover of "Still Stuck". — "Still Stuck", written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake.

“Still Stuck”, by Shinsuke Yoshitake, is an English translation of a Japanese children’s book that basically hits every checkbox for me right now. Straight from the cover to the last page, it is an exceedingly silly book that I think seems very real to my inner child. If you’ve ever got yourself temporarily (or, god forbid, permanently) stuck inside a particularly tight sweatshirt while undressing, this book is for you.

And that’s pretty much the basis of the entire short book. A boy tries to lift his shirt up over his head and thus becomes locked in what is, at least to him, his ultimate fate— to have his shirt pulled up over his face forever.

After a few attempts to free himself, it becomes easier to contemplate life with his arms forever dangling above his head. He can likely still manage to feed himself, find employment, and possibly even make friends. Sure, things will be different, but sometimes you just have to persevere (even if your face is forever shrouded in the darkness of your yellow shirt).

A page from the book. The boy, with shirt still over his face, walks through town with a cat on his head. — Yoshitake's illustrations are simple but supremely funny. I think we can all imagine the thoughts of each person in this drawing.

”Still Stuck” is simply and sparingly illustrated.

I recommend it.