One of five traditional Japanese folktales included in the Kodansha Bilingual Children's Classics series, issued individually and in a boxed set - the others are: The Moon Princess, The Adventure of Momotaro, the Peach Boy, Urashima and the Kingdom Beneath the Sea and The Inch-High Samurai - this story of an incredibly strong young boy who enjoys cavorting with his animal friends in the forest, until the famous samurai lord, Minamoto Raiko, recruits him into his band, and he goes off to win glory by battling demons, is presented in both English and Japanese. A small book, easily held by young hands, it boasts colorful illustrations by Suiho Yonai, and a rhyming narrative provided by translator Ralph F. McCarthy.

Although (as with the other titles in the series) I am not sure that the rhyming narrative here is always to my taste - it sometimes feels a little forced - it does make for a fun reading experience, while the lovely illustrations, done in such detail, will keep readers involved. Having now read all five of the installments in the series, which I was lucky enough to find in boxed set a few years back, I can say that it provides a enjoyable foray into the world of Japanese folklore. I do wish that there had been more of a balance between male and female protagonists, and that, if only one female was to be included, she had been a less passive one than the Moon Princess. But then, if the editors were going by the most famous of the tales in the folk tradition, perhaps that wasn't possible? In any case, I recommend Kintaro, the Nature Boy, and all its companions, to any young readers who enjoy folk and fairy-tales, particularly if they are interested in Japan and Japanese culture. ( )