What do you think?
Rate this book
Children's Favorite Stories
Japanese Children's Favorite Stories
This colorfully illustrated multicultural children's book presents Japanese fairy tales and other folk stories—providing insight into a rich literary culture.
For 60 years, generations of English-speaking children around the world have been enchanted by Japanese Children's Favorite Stories—and for good reason. With such titles as "The Toothpick Warriors" and "The Rabbit Who Crossed the Sea", these 20 stories offer age-old lessons in kindness and goodness that are still riveting to children and parents alike. This 60th Anniversary Tuttle edition is proof that good stories never wear out.
In this treasure trove of much-beloved Japanese children's stories, you'll meet charming characters drawn from folklore and passed down for generations. These tales about playful goblins with long noses, walking statues, and a delightful hero who just happens to be one inch tall speak of the virtues of honesty, humility and hard work. What better way for a parent to teach than through stories that thrill their children!
Author Florence Sakade, a pioneer of English-language publishing in Japan, has compiled so many enchanting stories, readers will have a difficult time deciding which is their favorite. The sparking illustrations by Yoshisuke Kurosaki are a visual treat that readers of all ages will enjoy! His original and stylized watercolors bring to life the fascinating tales of fairy cranes, eel catchers, and singing turtles, among many others. These Japanese stories shine on every page, and are sure to captivate your family as they have many others.
The Children's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. Other multicultural children's books in this series include: Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Favorite Children's Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, Korean Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, and Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories.
For 60 years, generations of English-speaking children around the world have been enchanted by Japanese Children's Favorite Stories—and for good reason. With such titles as "The Toothpick Warriors" and "The Rabbit Who Crossed the Sea", these 20 stories offer age-old lessons in kindness and goodness that are still riveting to children and parents alike. This 60th Anniversary Tuttle edition is proof that good stories never wear out.
In this treasure trove of much-beloved Japanese children's stories, you'll meet charming characters drawn from folklore and passed down for generations. These tales about playful goblins with long noses, walking statues, and a delightful hero who just happens to be one inch tall speak of the virtues of honesty, humility and hard work. What better way for a parent to teach than through stories that thrill their children!
Author Florence Sakade, a pioneer of English-language publishing in Japan, has compiled so many enchanting stories, readers will have a difficult time deciding which is their favorite. The sparking illustrations by Yoshisuke Kurosaki are a visual treat that readers of all ages will enjoy! His original and stylized watercolors bring to life the fascinating tales of fairy cranes, eel catchers, and singing turtles, among many others. These Japanese stories shine on every page, and are sure to captivate your family as they have many others.
The Children's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. Other multicultural children's books in this series include: Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Favorite Children's Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, Korean Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, and Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1953
44 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Florence Sakade
58 books7 followersThe late Florence Sakade is widely recognized as a pioneer of English language publishing in Japan. She was an experienced editor and the author/compiler of such favorites as A Guide to Reading and Writing Japanese, Origami: Japanese Paper Folding, and Japanese Children's Favorite Stories. Her distinguished career spanned four decades, and she worked until her death in 1999 at the age of 82.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 27, 2025
Delightful stories simply told with a magical flavour containing moral messages without being too stodgy about it.
Like children’s tales throughout the world, these contain familiar elements and characters: farmers, usually old; woodcutters kind and woodcutters mean; an ogre, bad; a variety of birds and animals, many with special skills like a talented spider who can turn into a beautiful girl who weaves like mad, grateful to a young (rare) farmer who had saved the spider from a snake. The spider is saved again, this time by ‘Old Man Sun’, who along with the moon, from to time intervenes in earthly matters.
Along with the spider and the snake, there are rabbits and monkeys and jellyfish and crabs with tales to tell. Plus goblins and shape-changing Tanukis. Plus riches for rewarding goodness, wealthy beneficent lords and of course the childless couple who are miraculously blessed.
It is the nature of these stories to feature recognisable themes and a certain similarity in plotlines but this is a small matter. The collection owes it initial publication in 1959 to English–language publisher in japan, Florence Sakade. The stories are much enhanced by the original illustrations by Yoshisuke Kurosaki.
Like children’s tales throughout the world, these contain familiar elements and characters: farmers, usually old; woodcutters kind and woodcutters mean; an ogre, bad; a variety of birds and animals, many with special skills like a talented spider who can turn into a beautiful girl who weaves like mad, grateful to a young (rare) farmer who had saved the spider from a snake. The spider is saved again, this time by ‘Old Man Sun’, who along with the moon, from to time intervenes in earthly matters.
Along with the spider and the snake, there are rabbits and monkeys and jellyfish and crabs with tales to tell. Plus goblins and shape-changing Tanukis. Plus riches for rewarding goodness, wealthy beneficent lords and of course the childless couple who are miraculously blessed.
It is the nature of these stories to feature recognisable themes and a certain similarity in plotlines but this is a small matter. The collection owes it initial publication in 1959 to English–language publisher in japan, Florence Sakade. The stories are much enhanced by the original illustrations by Yoshisuke Kurosaki.
Read
September 24, 2018A nice collection of Japanese fairy tales, "Japanese Children's Favorite Stories" is nicely illustrated for young readers.
(And, at least in the case of the Romanian version, it's also adapted - there's a reference to Momotaro being sent by God to a childless elderly couple so he could be their son; I somehow doubt that the fairy tale has Christian tones in the original.)
Mostly, it contains what you'd expect - good is rewarded and evil is punished. However, I couldn't help but notice a few trends: the characters tend to be either poor commoners, or animals, never princes or nobles. Also, having a good heart, even to the point of naivety, is generally a good thing, while being clever and tricking others is frowned upon (no tricksters here!).
A few stories are also less concerned with morals, and more concerned with the fun of exchanging one thing for another, a more valuable one, until you the protagonist ends up with treasure after starting with a mere trifle.
I think I'd've loved it when I was a kid - it feels a bit repetitive when you're an adult, though.
(And, at least in the case of the Romanian version, it's also adapted - there's a reference to Momotaro being sent by God to a childless elderly couple so he could be their son; I somehow doubt that the fairy tale has Christian tones in the original.)
Mostly, it contains what you'd expect - good is rewarded and evil is punished. However, I couldn't help but notice a few trends: the characters tend to be either poor commoners, or animals, never princes or nobles. Also, having a good heart, even to the point of naivety, is generally a good thing, while being clever and tricking others is frowned upon (no tricksters here!).
A few stories are also less concerned with morals, and more concerned with the fun of exchanging one thing for another, a more valuable one, until you the protagonist ends up with treasure after starting with a mere trifle.
I think I'd've loved it when I was a kid - it feels a bit repetitive when you're an adult, though.
August 15, 2021
Japanese Fairy Tales: From another World and Another Generation
This classic collection of Japanese fairy tales was first published by Tuttle Publishing in 1959. These are all written in English, but they are tales that Japanese adults grew up with in Japan. Much like the tales Aesop, the Grims Brothers, and Hans Christian Anderson collected in Europe, they have a few moments that may seem a bit harsh by today's childhood standards. Most parents know when to read past details that may be uncomfortable for certain children. Like the dog that dies, and the rabbit who offers himself unselfishly for a stew-gift to a beggar. But, of course, the anthropomorphic "humanlike" animals sharing morals is why these tales have delighted children for generations.
There are twenty short stories in this set, and they are enjoyable for any age group. Whether you are reading about the rabbit who crossed the sea, or a spider who spins the clouds, or why the jellyfish have no bones; your child will learn much about Japanese culture. Being able to see that people everywhere experience life in much the same ways that we do is bound to be as impactful on your child as are the morals of these stories.
The illustrations are adorable! It is a large hardback edition with the book cover bearing the same lovely illustration printed on the dustjacket. It is sure to be a treasure for any child. I highly recommend this book, as it has much cross-cultural value in teaching values and understanding among people around the world.
This classic collection of Japanese fairy tales was first published by Tuttle Publishing in 1959. These are all written in English, but they are tales that Japanese adults grew up with in Japan. Much like the tales Aesop, the Grims Brothers, and Hans Christian Anderson collected in Europe, they have a few moments that may seem a bit harsh by today's childhood standards. Most parents know when to read past details that may be uncomfortable for certain children. Like the dog that dies, and the rabbit who offers himself unselfishly for a stew-gift to a beggar. But, of course, the anthropomorphic "humanlike" animals sharing morals is why these tales have delighted children for generations.
There are twenty short stories in this set, and they are enjoyable for any age group. Whether you are reading about the rabbit who crossed the sea, or a spider who spins the clouds, or why the jellyfish have no bones; your child will learn much about Japanese culture. Being able to see that people everywhere experience life in much the same ways that we do is bound to be as impactful on your child as are the morals of these stories.
The illustrations are adorable! It is a large hardback edition with the book cover bearing the same lovely illustration printed on the dustjacket. It is sure to be a treasure for any child. I highly recommend this book, as it has much cross-cultural value in teaching values and understanding among people around the world.
March 20, 2022
A charming collection of stories with beautiful watercolor illustrations. Read aloud with my daughter, who was very taken with them.
January 18, 2024
This is a great collection of Japanese stories for children. We read this as part of our homeschool history - it was recommended in History Quest - Middle Times.
October 16, 2022
More of a 3.5⭐️
I wanted this book because I'm really interested in Japanese culture, besides anime and manga. I know some of their classic folklore stories, but from this book I've heard only about 2-3 of them.
The art from the book is gorgeous, drawn in a style fit for it. It has 20 short stories. The first one is I think the most popular one, Peach Boy or Momotaro 🍑
About the stories, I have a bit of mixed feelings about them 🤔 I enjoyed them, but some of them are really silly or stupid 😆 I thought that children's stories should always have a hidden message, something to learn from it, but from some stories I could only just take the message "this character is a bit dumb, don't be like him" 🤣
My favorite story was the one called "The Grateful Statues" 🥺💜
I wanted this book because I'm really interested in Japanese culture, besides anime and manga. I know some of their classic folklore stories, but from this book I've heard only about 2-3 of them.
The art from the book is gorgeous, drawn in a style fit for it. It has 20 short stories. The first one is I think the most popular one, Peach Boy or Momotaro 🍑
About the stories, I have a bit of mixed feelings about them 🤔 I enjoyed them, but some of them are really silly or stupid 😆 I thought that children's stories should always have a hidden message, something to learn from it, but from some stories I could only just take the message "this character is a bit dumb, don't be like him" 🤣
My favorite story was the one called "The Grateful Statues" 🥺💜
February 10, 2020
Δανειστήκαμε αυτή τη συλλογή ιαπωνικών παραμυθιών από τη βιβλιοθήκη με πολύ ενθουσιασμό και περιέργεια. Ομολογώ πως προσωπικά τα περισσότερα δεν με ενθουσίασαν, μα στα παιδιά άρεσε η πολύ διαφορετική οπτική του φανταστικού που αποπνέουν αυτά τα παραμύθια. Εμένα μου φάνηκαν κάτι σαν τους Μύθους του Αισώπου - καθώς τα περισσότερα τελειώνουν με κάτι σαν ηθικό δίδαγμα- στο πιο τρελό τους όμως, μιας και μεταχειρίζονται πλάσματα και καταστάσεις από την ιαπωνική μυθολογία, που είναι πολύ ξένα σ' εμάς, χωρίς να είναι κακό όμως αυτό, ίσα ίσα.
Εκτιμώ το όραμα της συγγραφέα παρόλα αυτά και το γούστο των παιδιών, γι' αυτό επιλέξαμε τα πιο αγαπημένα μας από τα είκοσι και σκοπεύω σιγά σιγά να τα ανεβάζω σε Facebook & YouTube.
Από τον πρόλογο της συγγραφέα:
"(...) Είναι φανερή τα τελευταία χρόνια η προσπάθεια που γίνεται από γονείς και δασκάλους, ώστε να αποκτήσουν τα παιδιά γνώσεις για τη ζωή και τον πολιτισμό άλλων χωρών, να εκπαιδευτούν για να γίνουν πολίτες του κόσμου, διατηρώντας συγχρόνως τη δική τους πολιτιστική κληρονομιά και να μεγαλώσουν απαλλαγμένα από προλήψεις, εχθροτητες και υποψίες για καθετί διαφορετικό."
Εγγραφείτε στο κανάλι μας στο YouTube για περισσότερα παραμύθια: https://bit.ly/2t2tUfx
#mpampadoistories
Εκτιμώ το όραμα της συγγραφέα παρόλα αυτά και το γούστο των παιδιών, γι' αυτό επιλέξαμε τα πιο αγαπημένα μας από τα είκοσι και σκοπεύω σιγά σιγά να τα ανεβάζω σε Facebook & YouTube.
Από τον πρόλογο της συγγραφέα:
"(...) Είναι φανερή τα τελευταία χρόνια η προσπάθεια που γίνεται από γονείς και δασκάλους, ώστε να αποκτήσουν τα παιδιά γνώσεις για τη ζωή και τον πολιτισμό άλλων χωρών, να εκπαιδευτούν για να γίνουν πολίτες του κόσμου, διατηρώντας συγχρόνως τη δική τους πολιτιστική κληρονομιά και να μεγαλώσουν απαλλαγμένα από προλήψεις, εχθροτητες και υποψίες για καθετί διαφορετικό."
Εγγραφείτε στο κανάλι μας στο YouTube για περισσότερα παραμύθια: https://bit.ly/2t2tUfx
#mpampadoistories
July 25, 2020
This was a great collection of stories and tales. I had never read any of these tales before and found them really enjoyable. Most of the stories had some sort of "moral" to them and it was interesting to see how the morals were interwoven into the stories and how they compared to other stories/tales I've read growing up that are supposed to "teach a moral." Overall these were fun, short stories that could be read again or a few as some before bed tales. I read it all in one sitting so it was a quick read for me, but I imagine it would be a longer read if reading the stories out loud to someone. Either way, a nice overall read that I'd recommend reading at least once.
November 1, 2019
A special book from my childhood, loved it. Grandma brought it back from her trip to Japan. The stories were delightful, and the artwork astonishingly beautiful. I've read it time and time again, and recommend it wholeheartedly, it's lovely.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
March 19, 2018
This is a charming book of Japanese children’s stories that have been passed down for many generations. The stories teach honesty, humility, generosity, kindness, and other virtues. My personal favorite is “Little One-Inch” because the story is about how someone small in size (He is really one-inch tall.) has a huge heart and uses his wits when he goes out to the great big world.
February 24, 2014
I randomly came across this on my library's Overdrive, feeling nostalgic I checked it out. Having read a lot of Japanese folk tales in Japanese, this was actually well translated for children. Cute illustrations and a decent selection of children's stories, each with a little moral at the end.
February 3, 2018
Lovely book, nice illustations.
March 5, 2018
We loved this book! The pictures are great.
November 12, 2019
Mixed set of storiea
Mixed set of stories.... some very short and pointless. A few were good and meaningful. Unlike other stories from the same publisher
Mixed set of stories.... some very short and pointless. A few were good and meaningful. Unlike other stories from the same publisher
October 27, 2021
Unexpected find from my childhood! Brings a smile to my face to read these again.
December 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories as there were many which were unique, but others which felt familiar and something from your own childhood. For example, there is a story called Little One-Inch which is very similar to the Tom Thumb story. Another, The Ogre and the Rooster, reminded me of the Norse myth The Fortification of Asgard. Yet, the ones I enjoyed the most were the ones which provided the origins to sayings or beliefs like The Spider Weaver which explains why the word, kumo, is the same for spider and cloud in Japanese. The other one being The Rabbit in the Moon and why the image of the rabbit is seen in the moon. The translations were really well done and easily accessible for all levels of readers. I would have liked more that were providing lessons beyond “don’t be a stupid person,” but even those were fun even if they felt nonsensical.
January 25, 2020
O carte delicată de povești. E destul de evident că poveștile provin dintr-o altă cultură și au o narațiune un pic atipică în ciuda faptului că sunt respectate temele și valorile din poveștile europene. Deși frumoase însă, nu pot spune că sunt povești care m-au impresionat în mod deosebit sau pe care simt nevoia să le recitesc copiilor.
June 9, 2023
This book is so adorable. Basically the stories here are the same with many children stories worldwide, with morals like: don't be greedy, always be clean and meticulous, be kind. The formula is that do good, good will come to you, and do bad, bad will come to you.
It's pretty enjoyable and accessible for children under 5, I think.
It's pretty enjoyable and accessible for children under 5, I think.
October 17, 2022
Cute short stories where the moral of the story generally surrounded being honest and genuine giving wealth and happiness. Whereas being trixsters or mean came with misery. There was a common theme of older couples wanting a child or being lonely. I liked all the animal mischief.
June 26, 2023
Mi s-au părut atât de drăguțe poveștile. La fel și ilustrațiile. Pur și simplu mi-au umplut sufletul de bucurie. Nu trebuie să uităm că și noi suntem copiii și din când în când mai trebuie să citim povești. ❤️
July 16, 2019
Slăbuțe dar drăguțe :)
January 20, 2020
One of my cherished books from childhood.
October 27, 2020
Our absolute favorite stories to read. This book (and it's sequel) were gifts from an aunt who lives in Japan. Beautiful images.
January 4, 2021
A nice assortment of Fairy Tales from Japan. My four year old son enjoyed hearing them read aloud at bed time.
April 20, 2021
Really cute but some problematic gender stuff that could probably be easily switched.
June 1, 2021
Simply delightful stories! The boys and I enjoyed this immensely.
June 24, 2021
My 5 year old wanted me to read this first every day!
September 16, 2021
We enjoyed reading this collection of stories as part of our study of Japan. The pictures are fun and the stories are meant to impart wisdom (such as Aesop's fables in western tradition).
April 15, 2022
This is a great book that introduces western readers to Japanese tales.
April 19, 2022
I found it to be surprisingly unimaginative and dull. Even the illustrations seemed kind of bland.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews