Folk Tales from Japan - by Florence Sakade (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"Filled with now-familiar favorites, along with lesser known yet equally delightful tales, this enduring collection presents stories to enchant and enlighten young readers." -- School Library Journal

From singing turtles and flying farmers to a weeping dragon and rice bags that replenish themselves, readers of all ages will find engaging characters and moments of magic in these beloved Japanese folk tales.

The stories in this collection include:

• The Magic Mortar--A tale that explains why the sea is salty
• How to Fool a Cat--A funny story about a clever woodworker
• The Rolling Mochi Cakes--Good food, a beautiful song and a lesson on the benefits of sharing with others
• The Dragon's Tears--A sweet tale about first impressions, kindness and inclusivity

Broken up into 16 folk tales, this book will become a go-to for bedtime and storytime. Kids (and adults!) will have the opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture in a fun, accessible way.

Review Quotes

"Folk Tales from Japan is alive with characters, in illustration and in words. The characters and the stories they tell are delightful, enchanting and compelling--it's no wonder this book has been in print for so long. Children with a connection to Japan will especially love reading these stories still relevant to a modern reader." --Danielle Wright, author of Japanese Nursery Rhymes

"Filled with now-familiar favorites, along with lesser known yet equally delightful tales, this enduring collection presents stories to enchant and enlighten young readers...This collection is greater than the sum of its parts...The text [is] simple, clear, and accessible to beginning readers and storytellers alike." --School Library Journal

"I absolutely love each one of these (and so do the chicks, for all they are 10 & 12 now) and recommend them for bedtime stories, afternoon stories, or really stories any time. The format and length make them great for reading aloud as well as quietly." --The Red Hen Bookshop

"I have enjoyed reading the stories with my preschooler. He laughed out loud when I read 'How to Fool a Cat' and asked to study the words and pictures...[The illustrations] are simple but engaging, and quite adorable..." --The Common List

"Stories are a primary means for transmitting cultural values, information, philosophies, and worldviews. This beautiful and engaging Anniversary edition strengthens the cultural bridge between Japan and the English-speaking world for current and future generations." --Willamarie Moore, author of All About Japan

"The stories retold in this delightful book were part of my childhood and my mother's before. Who can forget the monkeys and foxes, the tricksters and makers of mischief, the heroes, and the ordinary folk who do extraordinary things! These are wonderful tales, passed down for generations." --Shiho S. Nunes, author of Chinese Fables

"With its approachable writing style and whimsical illustrations, [this] new edition of Japanese Children's Favorite Stories is poised to delight a fresh generation of children." --Rebecca Otowa, author of At Home in Japan

"With these two books, Tuttle has been the leader in preserving the foundation of Japanese heritage and folklore for Western children of all ages." --Sunny Seki, author and illustrator of Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll

About the Author

Florence Sakade (1917-1999) is widely recognized as a pioneer of English language publishing in Japan. She was an experienced editor and the author/compiler of such favorites as A Guide to Reading and Writing Japanese, Origami: Japanese Paper Folding, and Japanese Children's Favorite Stories. Her distinguished career spanned four decades, and she worked until her death in 1999 at the age of 82.

One of the most popular children's book illustrators of his time, Yoshio Hayashi (1905-2010) was among the artists who founded the Japan Children's Painting Association in 1961. He served as director of the Artist Copyright Federation of Japan and the Japan Art Association.