Basho and the River Stones (Hardcover)

by Tim J. Myers (Author), Oki S. Han (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: river stones

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 1-4–A magical fox learns an important lesson in this original trickster tale. Disguised as a monk, he offers Basho, Japan's most revered poet, three gold coins if he agrees to give all of the cherries from his tree to the neighboring foxes. When the coins turn into river stones, the mischievous creature awaits the impoverished poet's angry outburst. However, Basho's profound appreciation of the stones' beauty takes the form of a haiku, which humbles the animal. Chagrined, he tries to give Basho three real coins, which the man summarily refuses. The fox uses his wiles to repay the poet in yet another transmogrification, and they live companionably from that day on. Han's watercolors are adept at capturing the beauty of the Japanese countryside, the serenity of Basho's hut, and the cunning expression of the fox/monk. Stylized frames separate the text from the lush backgrounds of shade-dappled pastoral scenes and striking kimono-silk patterns. The description of haiku on the title page and the appended author's note about Matsuo Basho provide just the right amount of supplemental information. Myers's storytelling background is apparent in the pacing of the tale and in the carefully selected, descriptive narrative. An exotic and eye-catching addition to storytimes.–Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. In this team's second tribute to Matsuo Basho (Basho and the Fox, 2000), the seventeenth-century Japanese poet befriends a clan of kimono-clad foxes and agrees to share his cherry harvest with them. One fox becomes greedy, however, and devises a plan to trick Basho out of his share. By transforming himself into a monk, the fox temporarily turns three "worthless" stones into gold coins, and tempts the poor, hungry poet with coins for cherries. Is Basho angry when the coins turn back into rocks? Yes! But he quickly becomes both grateful and inspired, as he recognizes the beautiful stones' true worth and writes a haiku about them. The conniving fox is humbled by the poet's attitude and does everything he can to ensure that his trickery is undone. Along the way, he learns a lesson or two about perception, honor, and sharing. Han's expressive watercolors, with an unusual variety of perspectives, keep the story lively. A clever original fable that ends with cherries for everyone. An author's note is appended. Karin Snelson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books; Library Binding edition (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076145165X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761451655
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #704,155 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Tim Myers, author of "Basho and the River Stones", October 14, 2004

By	Timothy J. Myers (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of the things I most love about stories is their ability to present us with simple truths in compelling fashion. That's part of what I tried to do with "Basho and the River Stones." Naturally, I wanted this story to entertain readers (adults and children alike). But my years as a writer and a professional storyteller have taught me that even entertainment is more successful when it carries some resonating truth. In this book, the fox is capable of selfishness and deception--he's quite "human" in that way. But when Basho's shining example is set before him, he's also capable of shame and a determination to do better. We're all like that, I suppose, to whatever degree--I can certainly see both sides of human nature in myself! So I'm uplifted and comforted at the thought that, like the fox, I can learn, grow, come to a new vision of things, deepen my values, realize what's most important--even if it takes a little trickery to set things right. After all, we have to use the gifts we were given, eh? I hope you enjoy my story! May the river stones in your life turn to gold, and the gold to river stones. Regards, Tim Myers

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Bread into Chocolate! well, except that it's stones into gold..., December 6, 2005

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This beautifully illustrated book imagines the 17th century inventor of haiku, Matsuo Basho, and his encounters with the magical foxes of Fukagawa. We first see Basho asleep under a cherry tree, surrounded by a fraternity of suspicious looking foxes clad in Hugh Hefner-esque silk kimonos. Initially, Basho and the foxes shared great "wa," or harmony. (Tim Myers deserves kudos for using the interesting and accurate Japanese words in a kids' book!) One fox, "particularly fond of cherries" wants them all, and so he uses his trickster powers to transform himself into the figure of a "'yamabushi,' a wandering monk." The fox turns three stones into gold, and enters into an exclusive rights-to-the-cherry-tree contract with the money-strapped poet.

The next day the gold reverts to the stones, but they inspire a haiku:

How many years have
These stones loved the river, not
Knowing they were poor?

Basho, ever the poet, tells the fox, "A good poem is worth more than money--and it lasts much longer." The fox admits his deception, and then seeks to make it up to him. In the process, the fox learns much about cultural attitudes towards charity, and, especially, honor. The repentant, wiser fox uses his magic again--this time to procure enough money for Basho to buy food for the long winter ahead.

Oki S. Han delivers some of the best illustrations I've seen recently; her watercolors have both power and grace (a grace found also in Myers' flowing language). We see traditional Japanese dwellings and marvelously colorful, variegated foliage. Even the ornamental designs framing the text are beautiful, sometimes staggeringly so. Han is a master of light and dark, and she uses close-ups, scene-setting panoramas, and overhead views in an incredibly beautiful display of illustrative mastery. The story has a very satisfying ending (which includes the fox writing his own haiku), and Myers' "author's note" talks about Basho, the deeper meanings of haiku (he wrote the two in the book), and his own heartfelt gratitude ("ongaesha") for Basho's inspiration. Very enthusiastically recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great way to introduce Haiku to students, March 9, 2008

By	Sunergos (California, USA) - See all my reviews

I read this to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in our school library and used the book as a jumping off place for a lesson on haiku. They loved Basho's story and it was fun to watch them "get it" as they gradually understood the clever fox's tricks on the poet. I would recommend this story for 3rd and 4th graders. Although younger kids might enjoy it, I doubt they'd readily understand the twists and turns in the story.