One Day in Japan With Hokusai (Adventures in Art and Architecture) - Hardcover

Journeys in those days were extremely strenuous and Hokusai had to carry his luggage on his back, protecting it from treacherous bandits while struggling through storms and across rivers. This exciting story is fully illustrated with Hokusai's delightful and detailed prints, and told in a lively style to appeal to children of all ages.

Grade 2-4-Kiku and Yoshi are off for a visit to their grandfather, the Japanese artist Hokusai. His woodblock prints and other illustrations are used to show the travels of the siblings and what they see on their way to his house in Edo, now Tokyo. Unfortunately, readers don't know that these are reproductions of his art until the final page, and they may be confused when they never see the children on their journey. The author's use of a fictional account as a device to showcase the art works better when they arrive at their grandfather's and he regales them with stories of his travels and adventures, illustrated again with his work. The text is weak and often contrived. Christina Bjork's Linnea in Monet's Garden (R & S Bks., 1987) uses this device far more effectively.
DeAnn Tabuchi, San Anselmo Public Library, CA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.