4. Screen of Frogs: and old Tale Retold is a traditional literature story from Asia. This particular book is written and illustrated by Sheila Hamanaka and published in 1993 by Orchid books. This is a great picture book that teaches the reader about the side effects of laziness. The author did a great job with the illustrations, character description, and plot. The illustrations are drawn in the style of ancient transitional Japanese art. I really liked this style of illustration because it was a nice change from the normal western illustrations that I have seen in so many books. The illustrations are done with captivating detail that drew me in as a reader. An example of this is on page 20. On this page a blank canvas is filled with different colors of frogs drawn in different shapes. The different types of color and details on the frogs really bring this page to life. This painting showed how the frogs and other creatures of the land did not want Koji to leave the land for fear of their homes going away. Just next to the frogs is Koji, confused about what is going on. Koji was described very well and his development was also well documented. The author goes into great detail about Koji and how he was such a lazy rich boy. The author describes his attitude and demeanor so well that it is easy to picture Koji in real life. An example of this is on page four when she goes into detail about how he did not care for a lot of people and that he always expected things to be done for him. The author is also very skilled at developing Koji into a hardworking man. She does this in a very fluid manner with help from the frogs. The author uses the frogs to communicate that if Koji continues to be lazy then his home will go away. The plot in this story is full of suspense, especially in the middle of the story. At this point it becomes clear that Koji must do something or his ancestors land will be taken from him. I was full of suspense at this point wondering what would happen. Greed, laziness, and growing up are central themes to this story. Koji is very wealthy and his greed leads to his laziness. His laziness leads to a predicament where he must decide whether or not to save his land. ( )

This is a very nice fairytale about a man called Koji. In the beginning he is very wealthy but he loses most of his property because he is so lazy and he just buys things but doesn't want to work anything. Some frogs could change his mind and in the end he turns into a normal man with a family who is working for their money. ( )

Sheila Hamanaka retells a Japanese folktale for an American audience. A wealthy boy learns the meaning of true wealth in an act of mercy he has in response to the plea of a frog. He changes his life and finds meaning and value in a life of hard work. Ms. Hamanaka illustrates the story throughout with beautiful collage and paint on handmade kozo paper. ( )