Book Review: THREE SAMURAI CATS retold by Eric A. Kimmel

Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric A. THREE SAMURAI CATS. Ill. by Mordicai Gerstein. New York: Holiday House, 2003. ISBN 0823417425

Plot Summary

In this adaptation of a Japanese folktale, a large and obnoxious rat causes havoc in the home of a daimyo (feudal lord), who is drawn as a dog. The daimyo seeks help removing the rat from a dōchō (senior monk), who is also drawn as a dog, at a distant shrine where samurai cats train and live. At first, the dōchō sent a beginner samurai cat to help remove the rat, but the samurai cat failed. Next, the dōchō sent a veteran samurai cat, but that cat also failed. With the rat still causing trouble and mischief in the daimyo’s home, the dōchō enlists the aid of Neko Roshi, a Zen master cat. The cat is drawn scruffy and old and doesn’t seem capable of remove the fighting rat. After appearing to only sleep and eat in the daimyo’s house for days and days, Neko Roshi defeats the rat by waiting for the rat to defeat himself, which happen to involve a gluttonous rat and a huge, sticky rice ball.

Critical Analysis

Kimmel’s lively retelling of a Zen parable set in medieval Japan and Gerstein’s anime-like illustrations make for an entertaining read. While children may not understand the Zen message of the story completely, they will understand the sense of the story and the humor of the illustrations. Kimmel’s writing style and Gerstein’s illustrations provide some insight into the Japanese culture. Kimmel names and identifies his characters with Japanese terms like daimyo and dōchō, while Gerstein’s pen and ink drawings are similar to Japanese anime. The plot is simple, words and pictures tell the story together, and there is a cute and funny resolution at the end.  Kimmel ends the story with a funny message for younger readers and a deeper lesson for older readers.

The illustrations are pen and ink drawings with oil paint on heavy vellum paper and provide the details of the setting and help set the lively pace of the story. In a note at the end of the story, Kimmel explains that the story is similar to what Zen masters might tell their students to get them to think beyond conventional ideas and methods. I believe older readers will appreciate the culture details in the illustrations and the Zen message behind the story, while younger readers will enjoy the characters and the funny ending.

Review Excerpt(s)

From School Library Journal

“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

From Booklist

“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.” Gillian Engberg

From Publisher’s Weekly

“Humor, wisdom and excitement make this offbeat tale a winner.”

Book Connections

Other books by Eric A. Kimmel:

THE GOLEM’S LATKES, ISBN 0761459040.

THE THREE PRINCES: A TALE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, ISBN 0823411153.

IRON JOH, ISBN 0823411153.

Other books by Mordicai Gerstein:

A BOOK, ISBN 1596432519.

THE WILD BOY, ISBN 0374384312.

THE OLD COUNTRY, ISBN 1596431928.

Other books that are Caldecott Medal Winners:

Aardema, Verna. WHY MOSQUITOS BUZZ IN PEOPLE’S EARS: A WEST AFRICAN TALE, ISBN 0140549056.

Wiesner, David. THE THREE PIGS, ISBN 0618007016.

Zelinsky, Paul O. RAPUNZEL, ISBN 0142301930.

Activities for THREE SAMURAI CATS:

·         As part of a folktale study, discuss the types of folktale, specifically for this story. Use graphic organizers to map out your thinking.

·         Have students retell or act out the story, create props or costumes that fit the setting.

·         Have older students read Kenji Sora’s The Swordsman and the Cat, and compare and contrast with Kimmel’s THREE SAMURAI CATS the differences and similarities. Extend the activity by researching other versions and adaptations of the folktale.