Beautifully rendered paintings show both Japanese tradition and contemporary innovation in visually representing the brief tale of a mother's years of efforts to reform the habits of her lazy son. The artist was born in Yokohama and the reteller also spent some of her childhood in Japan; both now live in the U.S.A. (Ages 5-9)

Taro, the son of a poor widow, is the laziest person in the village. When a rich merchant builds a mansion next door, Taro plots to marry the merchant's daughter, but Taro's mother has plans of her own. 1989 Caldecott Honor book. Grades K-3. 1988.