I Am Tama, Lucky Cat: A Japanese Legend

by Wendy Henrichs, Yoshiko Jaeggi (Illustrator)

Overview

Under the shadow of the white-capped mountains of Japan, a kind and gentle monk takes in a white cat with unusual markings and names him Tama, Lucky Cat.

Tama watches as his new master teaches Buddha's ways to poor farmers, caring for their welfare while ignoring his own empty stomach. Tama truly earns his nickname, "Lucky Cat," when during a powerful thunderstorm, he sees a towering warlord on a white horse. The cat beckons the warrior forward just as a large branch crashes to the ground and lands right where the warlord had previously stood. In gratitude to Tama, the warlord lavishes gifts on the monk's poor temple.

In a marriage of graceful text based on one of the legends of Maneki Neko—"beckoning cat," in early Edo-period Japan—and breathtaking watercolor illustrations, debut author Wendy Henrichs and award-winning illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi offer a beautiful story of friendship, generosity, and kindness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781561459162
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	02/02/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.24(w) x 9.98(h) x 0.11(d)
Lexile:	AD830L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Wendy Henrichs was inspired to write I Am Tama, Lucky Cat when she adopted two cats. One of them had a habit of raising her paw while sitting, just like a Japanese Lucky Cat figurine. Curiosity about the legends behind Lucky Cat led her to the story of Tama. She grew up in Illinois and lives in Iowa.

Yoshiko Jaeggi was born in Kagoshima, Japan, which is famous for its volcano. She drew her first picture in the ashes that rained from the sky. Yoshiko was trained at the Osaka Municipal Institute of Fine Art and has illustrated several picture books. She lives in Maryland.

Editorial Reviews

"The qualities of compassion and generosity that are gently demonstrated and the theme of virtue rewarded are undeniably laudable. . . Jaeggi's lovely watercolors reflect the serene tone and evoke the exotic setting, and her use of panels echoes traditional Japanese artwork."—Kirkus Reviews

"Jaeggi lavishes care on the watercolor illustrations, in which everyday features of Japanese life add historical and architectural interest"—Publishers Weekly

"Evocative watercolor illustrations capture ancient Japan in this picture-book retelling of the lucky-cat legend. . . With its compelling story and stunning art, this is a worthy addition."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Ceramic cats with one upraised paw, said to bring good luck and prosperity, are fixtures in Japanese storefronts. In her debut, Henrichs retells the traditional story of the cat's origin, in which a lordly stray befriends a monk in a temple, the monk shares his meager provisions with the cat, and the cat's beckoning gesture saves the life of a samurai warrior whose grateful reward relieves the temple's poverty. Henrichs allows the cat to narrate, a device that can feel clunky ("Without warning, I ran out of the temple and into the mighty storm, startling my master"), but does better when explaining unfamiliar elements ("In Japan, it is believed that when a cat washes its face, a guest will arrive"). Jaeggi (Monsoon Afternoon) lavishes care on the watercolor illustrations, in which everyday features of Japanese life—altar statuary, ragged-edged paper umbrellas, and bamboo fencing—add historical and architectural interest. She paints them in subdued, wintry whites and blues, with lively pink cherry blossoms signaling spring as the story moves toward its happy ending. Ages 5–9. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

PreS-Gr 2—Evocative watercolor illustrations capture ancient Japan in this picture-book retelling of the lucky-cat legend. Cat Tama narrates how she came to live with a poor monk in his rundown temple and her habit of sitting with her right paw upheld in the traditional Japanese greeting, "Come to me." Food is scarce, but the monk and feline live contentedly. One spring day during a raging storm, the animal dashes out to the temple gate. There she meets a traveling warlord, and through her beckoning gesture saves his life and changes the temple's fortune. An author's note explains the origin of the story and includes photos of beckoning cat figurines and the temple where the legendary Tama lived. The story's tone is formal but not stilted, as when the cat says, "I smiled at him with my pale green eyes, for I was not hurt." The artist studied in Osaka and her traditional training comes through, blending formal composition with light comic touches, such as Tama mimicking the monk's lotus pose. The images alternate between full-page paintings and panels reminiscent of Japanese screen paintings. With its compelling story and stunning art, this is a worthy addition.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

School Library Journal