Lazy Taro gets his comeuppance when his wise mother uses his trick to avoid work to her own advantage.
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Dec 23, 2011
Robert
rated it: 
This had been in my classroom, but somehow has made it's way to Beetle's bookshelf. It is a book I ordered from Troll years ago.
What a fantastic tale! Such rich language. An interesting story. A twist. A fabulous illustrations. This is what children's literature is all about.
Taro is a shiftless boy. He lives with his mother in a one-room house that is in disrepair. To calm his mother's nagging, Taro enacts a plan that should net him riches for doing nothing. The More...
What a fantastic tale! Such rich language. An interesting story. A twist. A fabulous illustrations. This is what children's literature is all about.
Taro is a shiftless boy. He lives with his mother in a one-room house that is in disrepair. To calm his mother's nagging, Taro enacts a plan that should net him riches for doing nothing. The More...
Nov 07, 2011
Amy
rated it: 
1. Picture Book: other folk tale
2. A Japanese folk tale of how their is a boy name Taro and how lazy he is. Earning him the name of the The Boy of the Three Year Nap. Through his trickery he comes to be the one who is tricked himself.
3. a: This story was great at the retelling of a traditional Japanese folk tale. Allowing students to see what stories other children may have grown up with.
b: The print of the text was a lot. A student may stray away from reading it because of More...
2. A Japanese folk tale of how their is a boy name Taro and how lazy he is. Earning him the name of the The Boy of the Three Year Nap. Through his trickery he comes to be the one who is tricked himself.
3. a: This story was great at the retelling of a traditional Japanese folk tale. Allowing students to see what stories other children may have grown up with.
b: The print of the text was a lot. A student may stray away from reading it because of More...
Oct 31, 2011
Crystal
rated it: 
The Boy of the Three Year Nap is a book of Folklore. This book is written for primary and intermediate aged children. It is a book about a boy named Taro and his widowed mother. The mother worked day and night making kimonos for the rich ladies in town to make ends meat. Her son did nothing but eat and sleep. One day when they were coming to the end of their rope, Taro said he had a plan. His desperate mother helped him by making him a costume to trick a rich man into thinking he was a god and t
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Feb 20, 2010
Taro is a Japanese boy who loves to sleep so much that he is the butt of village jokes. His mother cannot get him to work no matter how much she pleads with him. Taro comes up with a plan to marry a rich merchant’s daughter so that he doesn’t have to work. What he doesn’t plan on is his mother using the situation to her own advantage to get him to work after all.
It seems that teenagers around the world sleep excessively! I remember when it seemed that my son did nothing but slee More...
It seems that teenagers around the world sleep excessively! I remember when it seemed that my son did nothing but slee More...
Sep 29, 2008
Amy
rated it: 
In this book, a spoiled boy dresses up like the patron god of a town and scares a rich merchant into betrothing his daughter to him.
The daughter does not even get to speak in this story, but is only a plot device. The lazy boy uses trickery to achieve a better life for himself and his mother.
The daughter does not even get to speak in this story, but is only a plot device. The lazy boy uses trickery to achieve a better life for himself and his mother.
Apr 12, 2011
Luann
rated it:
I immediately loved these illustrations! They pull you right into the Japanese setting. It seemed at first that Taro, a boy who is so lazy it was said he takes three-year naps, would somehow be rewarded for his laziness with his plan to trick his rich neighbor into letting him marry his daughter. While he doesn't exactly suffer any ill consequences, things don't go exactly as he had planned, which I liked. It just goes to show that a good mother will always be a great benefit to her children. T
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Apr 09, 2010
Beth
rated it:
The widow works hard but her son, Taro, is lazy and sleeps too much. Taro has a plan to trick his rich neighbor. He dresses as ujigami to say that Taro. The man doesn't like this, but he doesn't want his daughter to be turned into a clay pot.
His mother has plans, too. Taro is happy in the marriage and is no longer lazy.
His mother has plans, too. Taro is happy in the marriage and is no longer lazy.
Nov 24, 2011
Joanie
rated it:
Story about a boy who had no ambition and decided to sleep his life away. One day he got a bright idea to help his mother without having to do any work. Little to his surprise, his plan backfired and he had no choice but than to learn to be responsible. I read this book to third graders and I used it for a lesson on finding the main idea and summarizing. The students enjoyed the story and pictures. Great book to discuss the Japan and their culture.
Jan 28, 2011
Debra
rated it:
A Japanese trickster tale retold by Dianne Snyder. A lazy boy who likes to sleep tricks a wealthy merchant into betrothing the merchant’s only daughter to him. When the wealthy merchant comes to ask the lazy boy’s mother to allow the marriage, the mother turns the trick on her son by getting the merchant to employ her lazy son in the bargain of the marriage.
Caldecott Honor
Caldecott Honor
May 18, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
Another good story to read when your Japanese culture storytime for ages 5-10 ends up being attended by junior highers instead!
I love Allen Say's artwork so much. The illustrations in this book are reminiscent of classic Japanese paintings, and complement the story very well.
I love Allen Say's artwork so much. The illustrations in this book are reminiscent of classic Japanese paintings, and complement the story very well.
Jan 18, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
I found this book while going through book tubs at school. I really enjoyed this book because it incorporates a historical setting (Japan in the fuedal ages) with a 'moral' lesson and unexpected twist. It's not your typical story and well worth the five minute read.
Mar 16, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Lazy boy frightens rich man into allowing him to marry the rich man's daughter. The lazy boy's mother convinces the rich man to fix her house and give her boy a job before she'll allow the marriage. The lazy boy learns not to be lazy.
Jun 21, 2011
Alexis
rated it:
I loved this book! Who knew being lazy could get you that far in life, all with a clever plan! However, some people will always have another plan for you, just like the mother did in this book! I would highly recommend this one day in my classroom.
Jun 07, 2009
Lesley
rated it:
This Japanese folktale has an interesting twist--both mother and son are sneaky with their plans, and it works for them. At least, everyone seems happy in the end. Pretty illustrations!
Aug 03, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Caldecott Honor Book. Oh, it's fine....a funny story, but not one of my favorites.
Feb 13, 2011
Angie
rated it: 
I don't like the message of this book. Basically laziness and trickery will help you gain wealth and position. Wonderful illustrations by Allen Say though.
Jun 22, 2008
J-Lynn
rated it:
An interesting story that takes place in Japan. It has strong illustrations that show the kimonos and architecture of ancient Japanese culture. However, it is a little hard to find the moral in the story about a lazy boy who, through trickery, marries a rich girl. The ending feels rushed and even though the boy is shown in a happy marriage as a good father, it doesn't overshadow his scheming.
Nov 25, 2008
Snorkle
rated it:
A typical folklore story with a surprising twist at the end. I thought this story was pretty interesting. The illustrations were lovely and I enjoyed reading it.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008/07...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008/07...
Dec 07, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
The boy of the three year nap is about a boy who is really lazy and naps all the time. This story can be used to teach about the moral of the story and what the theme of the book is.
Sep 26, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
A lazy boy gone good... what could be better? With wonderful illustrations by Allen Say. 1673 words, interest level 3.7, lower grades.
Feb 05, 2012
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