Three Strong Women: A Tall Tale From Japan

by Claus Stamm, Jean and Mou-sien Tseng (Illustrator)

Readers will delight in the incredible strength of a daughter, mother and grandmother who welcome a young man, Forever-Mountain, to their farm and train him to defeat the greatest wrestlers in the Emperor's court. Maru-Me has no trouble in capturing the wrestler -- she merely exercises her strong grip and serves him right up to the family. Mother's strength is quite impressive too as she hoists the cow up on her shoulders with ease. But myopic rheumatic old Granny is the real pro. When an oak tree blocks her path, she pulls it up by its roots and has her daughter hurl it over the mountain. It is Granny who coaches Forever-Mountain and who is in the end responsible for his miraculous victory in the ring. Kazue Mizumura's rollicking illustrations of these fantastic doings are wonderful fun and Claus Stamm's text has all the elements of a perfect tall tale.

Genres: Childrens, Japan, Picture Books, Womens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable folk tale. Beautiful illustrations and a very modern feeling tale of a champion wrestler who meets some very strong women! I liked the conclusion which was traditional but with a modern twist.

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[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition adapted by Claus Stamm and illustrated by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute. Hilarious. Enjoyable. This is a fairytale we loved!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever Mountain, a wrestler, becomes an even better wrestler after spending 3 months with a young woman, her mother, and grandmother, who can out-wrestle him with no problems. The watercolor illustrations by a Taiwanese couple depict a Japan from a few centuries ago. There is no source noted.

[Lilyvandersteen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite stories when I was a child, and I still love it as much as ever. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story never fails to make me giggle. I read it to my children tonight, and it was a hit with them, too :-)

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tall tale about three strong, related women teaching a wrestler how to become stronger. A winding, twisting tale that is stretched out more than necessary. It could be an interesting text to include in a classroom library for variety.

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition adapted by Claus Stamm and illustrated by Kazue Mizumura. (This is my favorite version.)

[M Aghazarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another elementary school re-read! I have thought about this story on and off again for years--it's one of the books I can remember our school lifespan reading to is, but I never remembered what it was called! Someone mentioned it by title a few months ago and I was thrilled to re-discover it. Still great

[Amanda Camarillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this traditional folk tale of a big strong wrestler names Forever-Mountain who was the greatest wrestler until he stopped and married Maru-me. Maru-me and her mother and grandmother trained the Forever-Mountain.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still fun/funny to me and I appreciate the writing and the story even more now as an adult.

[Linda Rusche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book! If you were so inclined several different morals of the story could be applied. Enjoyably illustrated.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. And a great story I had never heard before. Only authority cited is on the front flap which says it is a Japanese folk tale that is a new edition of the 1962 ALA Notable Book. As stated on the back flap, which quotes the New York Times Book Review "Children love a tall story, expecially if the exaggerations are just barely possible."

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. It's very well written.

[Wendyb · Rating 2 out of 5]

i got bogged down in the middle and didn't finish it. Not a lot happens.

[Gps · Rating 3 out of 5]

4-8 Japanese folk tale "Children love a tall story, expecially if the exaggerations are just barely possible." a story of women being strong.