I made a "backroom deal" and got my hands on a Russian picture book about Pallas's cats.

Two months ago, Helga Ingvar introduced me to a Russian picture book about Pallas's cats.

https://manulization.jp/manulover/helga%20ingvar/posts/pocemu-serdit-manul-ekcg9aqdiveu9mcj.html

I heard that this book is basically only available through marketplaces within Russia, but I really wanted to get my hands on it.

As an option for me, living outside of Russia, helga suggested a Chinese marketplace.

However, when I tried accessing the marketplace site, it didn't seem very user-friendly, so I gave up on buying it there.

And then I came up with an idea.

Despite the current international situation, Mr. Hasegawa, the chairman of the Sapporo Novosibirsk Association, maintains a trade route for goods with Russia.

I had exchanged messages with her on social media a few times, so I decided to take the plunge.

"We have this picture book about Pallas's cats; would you be able to stock it for us?"

I decided to ask for that.

However, if I were to buy only one copy, Mr. Hasegawa might object.

So I thought I'd like to do a "group purchase of several books," and when I put out a call to my followers on X, three people responded.

I thought it would be better to buy as many as possible, so I

"How about donating picture books to Japanese zoos that keep Pallas's cats and have libraries accessible to visitors?"

That's what I thought.

The six zoos that meet the criteria are Asahiyama Zoo, Saitama Children's Zoo and Nature Park, Nogeyama Zoo, Higashiyama Zoo, Gokatsuraike Animal Park, and Oji Zoo.

Initially, I had planned to donate to Oji Zoo and Gokatsuraike Animal Park, which are relatively close to where I live, all by myself. However, the members who joined the joint purchase offered to help as well, so we decided to divide the donations among ourselves and donate to all six facilities.

This brings the total number of picture books that my friends and I have bought to 10.

After that, I approached Mr. Hasegawa, the chairman of the Sapporo Novosibirsk Association, and he readily agreed to supply the product.

Then, about 40 days later, in early October, the 10 picture books finally arrived.

So, I sent copies to my friends by mail and handed some out in person, and I also donated one copy when I visited Asahiyama Zoo the other day.

According to an employee at Asahiyama Zoo

"We cannot guarantee that picture books will be placed in the open-shelf area of the library."

That's what they said, but if you plan to visit Asahiyama Zoo in the future, I think you'll be able to read picture books if you inquire beforehand and then go to the library.

Our colleagues will be delivering to the other five facilities in due course. I'll write another article when that happens.

The picture book is very cute, and the story is fun to read.

(I'm reading it little by little using Microsoft's Translator app. I've finally managed to read about a third of it.)

So, it was a very valuable experience! 😃

(postscript)

Ms. Hasegawa apparently stocked up on a few extra copies this time and put them on her online store. However, they were already sold out when I checked. 😁

https://www.nposapporo.com/shopItems/161838037

(Addendum 2)

Due to circumstances, the donation intended for Higashiyama Zoo may be changed to a donation to Ueno Zoo.

Ueno Zoo has a library where you can browse books by reservation.

(October 17, 2026, Addendum 3)

I finally finished reading the picture book.

I thought it was wonderful that the book explained "how to maintain an appropriate distance between humans and Pallas's cats" in a way that even children could understand.

On the other hand, I think I need to read the picture book a few more times to truly understand why the Pallas's cat is angry. 😃