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Momotaro: Peach Boy
Momotaro, the brave samurai born from a peach, journeys to Ogre Island to battle the evil oni in this classic Japanese folktale. With the help of a giant dog, a clever monkey, and a courageous pheasant, the young warrior fights to rescue his family and village from plunder. But will his strength and loyalty overcome the ogres' evil powers.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 4, 2020
This is supposed to be THE Japanese folktale classic, the zen master of them all, the grand poobah, the One Ring to Rule Them All. Pick a metaphor.
I think the translation was awful, because I didn't get it. Any time I don't grasp a classic tale, or a satire, or a seminal regional work, I presume it's a social commentary about something, that it's Animal Farm-ish in its public message.
So that's probably going on here, but darned if I know what the story was trying to say. Heroes good?
Anyway, moving on in the 1,001 Children's Books to Read...
I think the translation was awful, because I didn't get it. Any time I don't grasp a classic tale, or a satire, or a seminal regional work, I presume it's a social commentary about something, that it's Animal Farm-ish in its public message.
So that's probably going on here, but darned if I know what the story was trying to say. Heroes good?
Anyway, moving on in the 1,001 Children's Books to Read...
September 28, 2007
Childhood classic!
December 19, 2021
Jaapani muinasjutt
March 1, 2023
Un pequeño relato en el que nos narra la gesta de Momotaro, nacido de un melocotón, al enfrentarse a los demonios.
Cortito y entretenido.
Cortito y entretenido.
March 2, 2025
Just peachy.
Read
March 1, 2016Title: Momotaro
Illustrator: George Suyeoka
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme(s): Samurai, good and bad, evil never triumphs, adventure, heroism
Opening line/sentence: “ ‘Kane-ga-naru!’ exclaimed Ojii-san, still looking strong at forty.”
Brief Book Summary: A story of a couple who desperately want a child and then a son is born to them out of a peach that floated to the wife along the river. He is named Momotaro and is a samurai that defeats the Oni along with a dog, pheasant, and monkey.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Laura recommended this book to me for a non-european folktale it was one of the books that she had one her list for this category.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Donna Davis (Reviewer and Librarian)
Very traditional children's story in Japan. Momotaro serves as a heroic figure, and is good for Japanese-American children (and others who are of Japanese ancestry but speak English) because it is a positive role model and depicts Japanese males in a favorable light.
Good for the primary classroom. Good multicultural education for students who are not of Japanese origin, since this is a cornerstone text for young students in Japan. And if you have a Japanese (or partly Japanese) child in your home, it is a must-have.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I am definitely glad that Laura recommended this book to me. It is very different as I hardly ever read folktales from Japan, and very much enjoyed it because it was different. I also felt like I was becoming more and more knowledgeable on the culture through the story and beautiful, detailed illustrations.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: There were a lot of references about to describe the setting and lots of powerful images to go along with this unique setting. The characters were also very well-developed, I wanted to cry along with Ojii-san and Obaa-san because they could not have the child that they always wanted until Momotaro came into being. The plot was also easy to follow and the resolution was nice with tying up loose ends and showing children that in Japan, children take care of their elders.
Consideration of Instructional Application: There is a song at the end of the book that you could sing with the children at the end of the book, and get them energized with singing. Reading is mostly a quiet, relaxing activity and singing is face paced. You could also go into a culture lesson of the materials and other cultural artifacts listed throughout the story. Another idea is to compare/contrast this version with other versions of the story.
Illustrator: George Suyeoka
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme(s): Samurai, good and bad, evil never triumphs, adventure, heroism
Opening line/sentence: “ ‘Kane-ga-naru!’ exclaimed Ojii-san, still looking strong at forty.”
Brief Book Summary: A story of a couple who desperately want a child and then a son is born to them out of a peach that floated to the wife along the river. He is named Momotaro and is a samurai that defeats the Oni along with a dog, pheasant, and monkey.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Laura recommended this book to me for a non-european folktale it was one of the books that she had one her list for this category.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Donna Davis (Reviewer and Librarian)
Very traditional children's story in Japan. Momotaro serves as a heroic figure, and is good for Japanese-American children (and others who are of Japanese ancestry but speak English) because it is a positive role model and depicts Japanese males in a favorable light.
Good for the primary classroom. Good multicultural education for students who are not of Japanese origin, since this is a cornerstone text for young students in Japan. And if you have a Japanese (or partly Japanese) child in your home, it is a must-have.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I am definitely glad that Laura recommended this book to me. It is very different as I hardly ever read folktales from Japan, and very much enjoyed it because it was different. I also felt like I was becoming more and more knowledgeable on the culture through the story and beautiful, detailed illustrations.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: There were a lot of references about to describe the setting and lots of powerful images to go along with this unique setting. The characters were also very well-developed, I wanted to cry along with Ojii-san and Obaa-san because they could not have the child that they always wanted until Momotaro came into being. The plot was also easy to follow and the resolution was nice with tying up loose ends and showing children that in Japan, children take care of their elders.
Consideration of Instructional Application: There is a song at the end of the book that you could sing with the children at the end of the book, and get them energized with singing. Reading is mostly a quiet, relaxing activity and singing is face paced. You could also go into a culture lesson of the materials and other cultural artifacts listed throughout the story. Another idea is to compare/contrast this version with other versions of the story.
October 21, 2010
My grandparents sent me this book from Hawaii in the 70s as part of the Island Heritage series of books. For me, at that time, it was 4 stars, but I was older. It's a Japanese tale of a boy "born" from a large peach that an older couple find in a river. He grows up strong and brave and eventually saves his village from evil ogres, with the help of his companions: a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. Beautiful illustrations and a great pictorial dictionary at the back detailing samurai dress, travel food, and other Japanese things mentioned in the story. Logan loved the story, but he rates it as three stars because a couple of the illustrations of the ogres were a bit too scary. We just skipped looking at those. when he's older (he's currently almost 6), I think he'll like it more.
Update: He's 6.5 now and we have revisted the story. He liked it a lot more, probably because he's really into knights right now and samauri are pretty impressive knights. He's also less scared of the ogres now, especially as he feels he's a pretty impressive warrior himself. I've upgraded his rating to 4 stars.
Update: He's 6.5 now and we have revisted the story. He liked it a lot more, probably because he's really into knights right now and samauri are pretty impressive knights. He's also less scared of the ogres now, especially as he feels he's a pretty impressive warrior himself. I've upgraded his rating to 4 stars.
January 24, 2015
Very traditional children's story in Japan. Momotaro serves as a heroic figure, and is good for Japanese-American children (and others who are of Japanese ancestry but speak English) because it is a positive role model and depicts Japanese males in a favorable light.
Good for the primary classroom. Good multicultural education for students who are not of Japanese origin, since this is a cornerstone text for young students in Japan. And if you have a Japanese (or partly Japanese) child in your home, it is a must-have.
Good for the primary classroom. Good multicultural education for students who are not of Japanese origin, since this is a cornerstone text for young students in Japan. And if you have a Japanese (or partly Japanese) child in your home, it is a must-have.
May 27, 2008
This was one book of a set of Hawaiian Children's literature set we were fortunate to have my parent's buy us when I was young. Momotaro was definitely one of my most favorites of the entire set. The art work was amazing and the story captured my imagination then and seems to stuck with me decades later. And in my book, Momotaro is *the* original "peach boy"...not some guy named James.
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June 13, 20131.George suyeoka
2.80 minutes
3.old woman, old man, peach, baby boy, devil, dog, monkey
4.Do you want to go to devil island to conquer devils? Why?
No. Because they are dangerous.
5.Once upon a time, an old man and an old woman lived in a small village.
One day, the old woman went to the river to wash clothes.....
2.80 minutes
3.old woman, old man, peach, baby boy, devil, dog, monkey
4.Do you want to go to devil island to conquer devils? Why?
No. Because they are dangerous.
5.Once upon a time, an old man and an old woman lived in a small village.
One day, the old woman went to the river to wash clothes.....
July 18, 2016
My favorite of the three Island Heritage books my grandparents sent me from Hawaii in the 1970s. The art in this one is so gorgeous and I loved that Momotaro's companions where animals. It's been fun to read these books to my own son. The other books I have are Kama Pua'a and Pua Pua Lena Lena, both by Guy and Pam Buffet. Those had great stories too, but I didn't like the illustrations so well.
December 9, 2016
I can't say why I didn't like this story, maybe it is because the translation was really bad, or maybe because of the lack of pictures, or both.
Momotaro is kinda cute (I googled him), but if he is a Peach Boy I think a Peach Boy should spread the love and happiness, not wars and things like that.
Favorite Character: The Old Lady (Momotaro's Mother)
Momotaro is kinda cute (I googled him), but if he is a Peach Boy I think a Peach Boy should spread the love and happiness, not wars and things like that.
Favorite Character: The Old Lady (Momotaro's Mother)
December 29, 2008
Ths is my favorite fairy tale!
One part Superman, one part Wizard of Oz. A baby is discovered by an old couple in a giant peach. He grows up and goes on to save the village from marauding ogres, with his friends the pheasant, monkey, and dog.
One part Superman, one part Wizard of Oz. A baby is discovered by an old couple in a giant peach. He grows up and goes on to save the village from marauding ogres, with his friends the pheasant, monkey, and dog.
January 8, 2011
I think this book is amazing. The idea of a baby emerging from a peach fascinated me as a child. I can sit and stare at the vibrant illustrations for hours. The oni still look scary. This story is a favorite since my childhood.
September 14, 2011
I think if you had family in Hawaii they were required to buy you this book by state law.
Probably my favorite childrens' book because it hit all the sweet spots of things that interested me at 6. A boy with his own boat, swordplay, monsters and most importantly a monkey in samurai armor.
Probably my favorite childrens' book because it hit all the sweet spots of things that interested me at 6. A boy with his own boat, swordplay, monsters and most importantly a monkey in samurai armor.
October 7, 2008
The Japanese "Tom Thumb" in a darling book.
November 14, 2010
This is one of my favorite books as a child. I am buying this for my daughter for Christmas to add to her childrens storybook collection. The illustrations are beautiful!
October 21, 2012
My students loved this book! It made for a great read aloud during our folktales unit. They sat and listened for almost 30 minutes!
May 3, 2017
I know this is an old folktale but like, ???
His past doesn't help or hinder him. Its like this useless detail that he was born from a peach and its not addressed ever again.
Ogres come because, sure why not.
Then momotaro is like okay gonna fight them. Outs not like hes a real peach and this is dangerous more than it would be for anyone else. Everyone's like oh okay have some dumplings. #helpful
He comes across a dog, monkey, and pheasant that don't represent anything or have any special qualities.
They fight and win the end bye ogres.
Oh okay.
His past doesn't help or hinder him. Its like this useless detail that he was born from a peach and its not addressed ever again.
Ogres come because, sure why not.
Then momotaro is like okay gonna fight them. Outs not like hes a real peach and this is dangerous more than it would be for anyone else. Everyone's like oh okay have some dumplings. #helpful
He comes across a dog, monkey, and pheasant that don't represent anything or have any special qualities.
They fight and win the end bye ogres.
Oh okay.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews