Japanese Fairy Tales (Classic Japanese Fairy Tales, Vol. 2)

Keisuke Nishimoto
Heian Publishers (2006)
ISBN 9780893468491
Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 9) for Reader Views (6/07)


Do you like fairy tales? If you do and are looking for something other than Cinderella or the Elves and the Shoemaker, you might like something like this. Trying something other than American fairy tales can be fun and educational at the same time.

"Japanese Fairy Tales Volume 2" is the second book in the series. It has 6 different stories within its covers. The stories include: The Straw Millionaire, The Contest, The Bouncing Rice Ball, The Monkey's Statue, Little One Inch Boy and Tail Fishing. Each one of them has a short introduction before the story begins. The stories feature things like not being greedy, how to gain happiness and how cruelty never pays. Each story is very well written. They are funny and have very good themes.

Even if this book by Keisuke Nishimoto was written for the audience of ages 4-8, and I am older than that, I still enjoyed reading the stories and somewhat getting a glimpse into Japanese culture and humor. The illustrations are in watercolor and really add delight to the stories.  Take a trip to Japan by reading “Japanese Fairy Tales!”

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