Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan [Library Binding]

Eric A. Kimmel (Author, Narrator), Mordicai Gerstein (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

An adaptation of a Japanese folktale in which a feudal lord seeks a samurai cat to rid his castle of a savage rat, but soon discovers that violence is not always the best way to accomplish things.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Here's an adaptation of an adaptation of a story Zen masters used to illustrate how unconventional approaches to problems can be disarmingly effective. When a daimyo's castle is besieged by an enormous, ferocious rat, the lord beseeches the abbot of a nearby monastery to send a samurai cat to drive the beast away. The first and second samurai to confront him are overwhelmed by the rodent's martial-arts skills, but the third, a tattered, disreputable-looking old feline, allows the rat's greed to work against him and emerges triumphant. Kimmel's telling is reasonably successful and the message to "Draw strength from stillness. Learn to act without acting. And never underestimate a samurai cat-" is conveyed without any element of preachiness. Gerstein's lively cartoon illustrations are at their best in depicting the loathsome rat. The daimyo and the abbot are depicted as dogs, but there's no question as to who has the upper paw.
Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. In feudal Japan, a daimyo (powerful lord) is humiliated when a greedy, bullying rat takes over his castle, eats his food, and intimidates everyone. The daimyo seeks help from a shrine famous for training samurai cats. Two magnificent feline warriors arrive, but the rat effortlessly overpowers them. Desperate, the lord requests the toughest cat of all, and he is surprised when scrawny, aged Neko Roshi hobbles in. He is even more surprised when the cat refuses the rat's invitations to fight. As time passes, the rat's behavior grows more egregious, but Neko Roshi ignores the rodent--until it finally traps itself and leaves the castle defeated. Kimmel tempers the folktale's heavy message about passive resistance with humorous, perfectly paced language that is ideal for read-alouds, and the characters in Gerstein's colorful, detailed drawings are irresistible--the saggy-jowled hound in robes; the buffoonish, wildly costumed daimyo bulldog; the scruffy, shrunken Neko Roshi; and, best of all, the pot-bellied, gleefully wicked "barbarous rat," who is more comic foil than villain. An author's note offers some historical background and sources. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823417425
• ISBN-13: 978-0823417421
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric A. Kimmel is well known for the tales he has retold from around the world. Some of his best-known titles are "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins" (a Caldecott Honor book), "Gershon's Monster", "Anansi and the Talking Melon", and "The Runaway Tortilla". A former professor of children's literature, he lives in Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Wise Cat, May 13, 2004

By 

Karen Woodworth Roman "Happy Librarian" (DeKalb, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan (Library Binding)

"There was once a daimyo, a powerful lord, whose castle was occupied by a savage rat," begins Three Samurai Cats. The daimyo seeks help from a distant shrine that is famous for its fighting cats who are tough, skilled fighters. Eric Kimmel's adaptation of a Zen story is a strange and entertaining tale where the wisest cat allows his enemy to defeat himself. Karen Woodworth-Roman, Librarian

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When elders take charge..., September 15, 2008

By 

Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan (Paperback)

The Eastern mind reveres its elders. An important point.

"Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan" retold by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein emphasizes this point.

A rat walks into a dog's castle and basically assumes control. The dog daimyo goes to a distant shrine where samurai cats are known far and wide for their skills. He asks the docho to send his best warrior to defeat the rat. A samurai of flash and beauty is soundly defeated. A second tougher samurai cat is sent. He is heavily armored, but he too must show off his skills and is defeated.

At last, a master samurai arrives, but insists on fighting the rat in his own way. He sleeps, eats, sleeps, eats. The rat grows bolder. How the samurai cat defeats the rat is so easy. He uses the rat's own vices against him.

Children never fail to understand the lessons, love the art, and clamor for more stories about the Samurai Cats!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Samurai Cats Rock!, May 28, 2010

By 

Basbleu "W.R.C." (Abilene, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan (Paperback)

What an awesome book, for children and the adults who sometimes read to them! Other reviewers have recounted the plot, so I won't do that. I'll just say that this is a really fun book, and everyone will love it! Eric Kimmel tells the tale in a way that will hold you breathless, and Mordecai Gerstein's witty, colorful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment. Long after reading this book, you'll find yourself chuckling over the characters and meditating on the moral of the story. The library is full of great children's books, but this is one you'll want to buy and have at home.