This is a collection of my writing and correspondence with a few bits of poetry and random thoughts mixed in. I started this blog after learning that some of my letters had an uplifting quality.
In the pages of this blog you will find my real life trials and tribulations, the nature of what I think is truth, and the dust and grit of my real life.
'Kintaro, the Nature Boy' retold by Ralph F. McCarthy is a story
from Japanese culture told for us Americans. Now, this is a well constructed, but physically small, book that does not lend itself to being read to a child. It has Japanese style full color art work and the story is in two languages. Another point is that the traditional dress of Kintaro shows his naked rear end. The book does have some violence and the hero fights monsters. All in all, the question should be 'what age group is this for?' and only you can decide if it's right for your child. Who should read this book? Folks who are okay with a young boy's rear end. Books read: 158 of 5000
'The Inch High Samurai' retold by Ralph F. McCarthy is a little
book of Japanese folklore that goes about telling people not to let their faults slow them down. This telling has little in the way of danger and is likely not a full layout of the original story but is a perfect pep talk for your little person. The Japanese artwork is very nice, rich, and full of color. The book, however, is small for a children's book and is not an easy thing to read to your child if you want to have story time. All and all, this is a book that make the perfect gift for the child who loves to read. Who should read this book? Everyone. Books read: 132 of 5000
'The Adventure of Momotaro, The Peach Boy' retold by
Ralph F. McCarthy is a story from Japanese folklore about a boy who was born from a giant peach found floating in a river and then was adopted by an elderly couple.
The primary theam of the story is revealed in the second act when Monotaro puts together an army and has to work to make them get along. The problems are rather slim and the story is more feel good than anything else. Still, this is a children's book and being such it will have little in the way of substance.
Another point to understand about this book is that it is small and would be hard for a parent to read to a child for that reason. Something to be said is that this book has the Japanese calligraphy which is a plus.
