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Book Overview
This colorfully illustrated multicultural children's book presents Japanese fairy tales and other folk stories--providing insight into a vibrant literary culture. For 60 years, generations of English-speaking children around the world have been enchanted by Japanese Children's Favorite Stories--and for good reason. With such titles as "The Toothpick Warriors" and "The Rabbit Who Crossed the Sea," these 20 stories offer age-old lessons in kindness and goodness that are still riveting to children and parents alike. This 60th Anniversary Tuttle edition is proof that good stories never wear out. In this treasure trove of much-beloved Japanese children's stories, you'll meet charming characters drawn from folklore and passed down for generations. These tales about playful goblins with long noses, walking statues, and a delightful hero who just happens to be one-inch tall speak of the virtues of honesty, humility and hard work. What better way for a parent to teach than through stories that thrill their children! Author Florence Sakade, a pioneer of English-language publishing in Japan, has compiled so many enchanting stories, readers will have a difficult time deciding which is their favorite. The sparking illustrations by Yoshisuke Kurosaki are a visual treat that readers of all ages will enjoy! His original and stylized watercolors bring to life the fascinating tales of fairy cranes, eel catchers, and singing turtles, among many others. These Japanese stories shine on every page and are sure to captivate your family as they have many others. The Children's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. Other multicultural children's books in this series include: Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Favorite Children's Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, Korean Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, and Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:4805312602
ISBN13:9784805312605
Release Date:February 2014
Publisher:Tuttle Publishing
Length:112 Pages
Weight:1.63 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 10.4" x 10.4"
Age Range:9 to 13 years
Grade Range:Grades 4 to 8
Related Subjects
Asian Children's Children's Books Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Humor MulticulturalCustomer Reviews
5 ratings
A favorite from my own childhood
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
This was a favorite storybook from my own childhood. I have always been particularly haunted by the story of "Momotaro, the Peach Boy," and I had searched for a version of the story for my daughter. Recently while browsing the children's books at the art museum store, we found this reprint of the stories I had loved so much. My daughter now loves them, too.
Captivating to the children, enchanting to the adults
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
A wonderful collection of enchanting stories for young children, 3-7 years old. We have read from it since my boy was 3 years old - it is one of the very few books that have kept with him for a long period (he is now 5.5). I figure that he will be able to read the stories himself pretty soon, making this volume one of a handful of books that can be read to him and by him.The stories are imaginative, full of fantasy, culturally different yet appealing to "standard" elements of the children's minds. The plots are interesting to the children, who quickly learn them by heart and ask for specific stories night after night. The drawings are marvelous. The fact that there are multiple, independent stories, makes it easy to customize the lenght of the day's reading as needed. Of the many books that my boy has this is definitely one of the best, from his point of view as well as from mine. The wonderful illustrations, evocative of some of Miyazaki's magnificent animated movies, only add to the attraction of this exceptional book.
enjoyable classics for bedtime reading
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
First printed the early 1950's, this is the 51st printing of the book. It contains ten classics from the first printing 50 years ago, and ten newer stories. Stories include (1) Momotaro the Peach Boy, a boy who is found in a peach by a childless couple, who goes off to fight ogres with his animal friends when he reaches his teens; (2) The Magic Tea Kettle about the badger who is mistaken for a kettle; and (3) Silly Saburo, the hilarious and entertaining story about a boy and his misadventures, all becuase he does exactly what he is told. Also among the twenty are (4) The Crab and the Monkey, about a plotting monket and his hapless friend, a crab, and a riceball and persimmon seed; and (5) Why The Jellyfish Has No Bones, about a jellyfish and an evil octopus.
A beautiful and entertaining cultural exchange
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
As a small child I lived for three years in Japan. Before we moved overseas, my mother bought me this book, I suppose to encourage an interest in Japanese culture. Ever since, I have loved this book, with its beautiful illustrations and thoughtprovoking and entertaining stories. Now I've purchased a new edition for my little boy. If you're looking to broaden your child's horizons, this is a must for the bookshelf.
Beautiful illustrations and wonderful stories.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
As a child I was enchanted by the tales of Little Peach Boy, Inchling, and the other characters whose stories are featured in this book. Each story has a positive theme such as politeness, helpfulness and sacrifice. The characters are as memorable as those of the Brothers Grimm and the stories are complemented by beautiful illustrations. I still have my 25 year old copy of this book and am purchasing a copy for each of my children to have for themselves.
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