Momotarō And the Island of Ogres

Rather than updating this classic Japanese folktale with new illustrations, the publisher boldly pairs Wada's lucid, lyrical retelling with the magnificent Momotaro handscroll of Japanese painter Kano Naganobu (1775-1828). Now housed at the New York Public Library, the scroll presents the story's dramatic moments (""Run for your lives, or surrender immediately!"") with beguiling brush and ink figures shown against misty mountains and groves of bamboo, in tones of muted gray and rust. The scroll unrolls along the book's pages cinematically, with wide white borders emphasizing its horizontal breadth and expansive landscapes. Wada's narrative follows Momotaro through his remarkable early adventures and describes how he wins over his animal allies (a dog, monkey and pheasant). Momotaro's exploits have convulsed and amazed generations of Japanese children; mixing elements of the Daniel Boone and Robin Hood figures, he conquers a clan of terrible ogres who have terrorized the populace and stolen their treasure. The artist likes Momotaro and his animal sidekicks, but he prefers the ogres. They have lumps on their heads and blue and red bodies that resemble sacks of melons. Once the hero has driven their chief to capitulation, the ogres do whatever Momotaro tells them to, with hangdog looks. Adults should not shrink from the ""high art"" appearance of the scroll (a postscript describes the artist's fascinating process). Young readers will not hesitate to take his wild figures into the private stables of their own imaginations. A captivating choice. Ages 9-12.