Genre 2: Retold Folktale

Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric A. 1991. The Greatest of All: A Japanese Folktale. Ill. by Giora Carmi. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0-8234-0885-X.

Plot Summary

This Eric A. Kimmel's retold Japanese folktale is a story of how even mice look for the very best in life. We are introduced to Father Mouse, his wife, and his daughter Chuko, all of whom live outside perched high on the corner of an Emperor's palace. Father Mouse wears the best of clothes and thinks very highly of himself and exudes pride when his daughter Chuko mentions that she wants to marry one of their kind. But Father Mouse doesn't think of his daughter's choice, Ko Nezumi as one of them, but refers to him as a lowly "field mouse." To prove to Chuko that she could find a better husband, the elder mouse sets out to find his daughter's perfect match. He first goes to his Emperor who surprisingly tells Father Mouse, "I cannot marry Chuko. There is one who is greater than I." He tells him the one that is even greater than him is the Sun. Father Mouse finds the Sun and tells it of his wish for his daughter. The Sun tells him the same thing as Emperor Osama-san told him. Father Mouse meets this same fate with the Clouds, the Wind, and the Wall until he finally reaches Ko Nezumi, the "humble field mouse" and Chuko's first choice. It is then agreed that Chuko and Ko Nezumi are married with her father, mother, the elements, and the wall present to see.

Critical Analysis

From the beginning of the story until the end, the author's use of anthropomorphism is evident. Readers can see this on the fifth page when Chuko refers to her suitor by saying "a handsome field mouse came by today. His name is Ko Nezumi. He wishes to marry me, but he is too shy to ask your permission. Please say yes..." How many times have we read about or better yet, witnessed this scenario with our family and friends? That would be countless times! Moreover, we didn't hear much from Ko Nezumi and although he was a static character, he played a very important role in the story. When Father Mouse finally reached he door of the Wall, in surprise Ko Nezumi only said,"Father Mouse!" This further confirms that the description of Ko Nezumi as a "humble field mouse," is truly apt.

Kimmel keeps the reader interested by having them to wonder who could possibly be the "best" for Chuko. The language is easily understood and the elements and the wall personified, added to the realness of the story told. As these things attended Chuko's wedding to Ko Nezumi, they uttered what many say people say at weddings, "they make a handsome couple." Finally, even though there is a happy ending for Chuko and Ko Nezumi, the reader may still be left to ask themselves if Father Mouse was humbled in any way by his journeys and most importantly through is acqaintance with his "humble" son in law, Ko Nezumi.

Kimmel also manages to beautifully dress a gray mouse. Father mouse wears colorful "silk from the emperor's wardrobe" and wears clogs on his feet too. The readers also see Chuko wearing a very pretty Asian robe. The elements, which are the Sun, the Clouds, and the Wind, are presented in a grand, brightly painted fashion. Lets not forget the Wall because it is bricked in pretty colors as well. We first see the Emperor's beautiful robe on the jacket of the book and the pictures get even prettier inside. It's almost like the illustrator has a liking for things with an orange tone.

Review Excerpts

Starred Review in Booklist: "Carmi's earthly elements are ferocious, yet friendly, and Kimmel's Father Mouse is comical rather than tragic."
Starred Review in Horn Book Magazine: Simply told, with a charming haiku from the emperor for a wedding present."

Connections

This is a great book that reminds us of the importance of humility.

*Gather other books illustrated by Giora Carmi:
The Rooster Prince. ISBN 09343706459
A Journey to Paradise and Other Jewish Tales. ISBN 0943706165

*Other books relating to the story in The Greatest Of All: A Japanese Folktale and by which this tale is based is: Uchida, Yochiko. The Dancing Kettle. ISBN 0887390145

*Another variation of Kimmel's retold Japanese folktale is: McDermott, Gerald. Stonecutter. ISBN 0140502890