Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
The villain here is a savage rat, who takes over the castle of a daimyo, or lord in old Japan. The desperate lord seeks help from the docho, or senior monk, of a shrine famous for its samurai cats. The first cat to arrive is humiliated by the rat. The second samurai sent by the monk seems larger and more experienced, but the rat sends him flying. Finally the monk sends Neko Roshi, "the greatest living master of the martial arts." But when he arrives, he seems elderly and uninterested in fighting. How he finally defeats the rat offers a lesson in the Zen art of drawing strength from stillness rather than force. The visual narrative begins on the half-title page, where the cats are busy in the foreground as the rat makes his way to the castle in the back. Gerstein gives us a close-up on the title page as the evil rat is about to enter. His initial conquest is then depicted in action in a series of boxes. Colored pen and ink drawings using translucent oil paint on vellum suggest some Japanese historic scroll paintings. These delicious illustrations are filled with action, animal/human characters, and humor. The author adds a note on background, history, and source. Check out the cover under the jacket. 2003, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8.

Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
A huge rat has taken over the castle of a powerful daimyo. The rat laughs at traps, ignores poison, and attacks the guard dogs. The desperate daimyo rides his horse to the monastery to ask the docho for help. The docho agrees to send a samurai cat. The rat quickly outwits him and the humiliated cat leaves. Another bigger cat is then sent. He is also defeated. Upon hearing the third request for help, the docho says he will send Neko Roshi. The diamyo cannot believe that this ragged, old decrepit cat was sent to save him. Neko Roshi lies about on a mat eating and resting, as the rat becomes bolder and meaner. When the court is preparing rice balls for the Obon Festival, the greedy rat takes all of the balls from the tray and forms them into one large rice ball, which he then proceeds to roll away. As he is passing Neko Roshi, he becomes stuck under the huge mass of rice and cannot move. Neko Roshi agrees to help him only if he will leave the castle. The rat agrees and leaves. This story reflects Buddhist traditions of stillness, meditation, and harmony with nature. The rat defeats himself. Delightful, action-filled illustrations feature the daimyo and his court as dogs. The docho and the monks are also canines. A good source for inspiring thoughtful discussions about different ways to solve problems. 2003, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 5 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 8))
Zen stories are difficult for the uninitiated to grasp and this adaptation of a Japanese folktale by prolific reteller Kimmel is no exception. The thoughtful reader may gain some insight into the quiet workings of a Zen master's teachings. Others may simply enjoy the humorous pictures of the dogs and cats in medieval Japanese costumes, who enliven Gerstein's panels in this comic book-like format, without quite understanding the point of the story. A daimyo, a powerful lord in the shape of a large canine, begs the chief monk cat at a faraway shrine to find a solution to his trying problem: a rat trying to eat him out of house and home. Two vigorous young samurai cats arrive, fight, and fail. The third samurai cat, ragged and old, uses nonviolence to trick the rat into leaving of his own accord. A sophisticated story designed to stimulate unconventional thinking. (author's note) 2003, Holiday House, $16.95. Category: Picture book/folklore. Ages 6 to 9. © 2003 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2003)
In this keen-witted and expertly paced folktale, a feudal lord in ancient Japan wants his castle rid of a large, wily rat. Kimmel's direct and humorous adaptation moves the story along quickly, as do the illustrations, several of which are presented in small panels that provide comic-strip-style action. An author's note contains a brief source note and some samurai history. Category: Nonfiction-Folktales and Nursery Rhymes. 2003, Holiday, 32pp, $16.95. Ages 5 to 9. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Virginia Gleaton (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 16, No. 1))
This is a retelling of a folk tale. The lord has a problem in his castle. A rat has invaded it. The first two cats he sends for are defeated by the rat. It is the third, decrepit cat that succeeds. The story teaches the lessons of patience and the benefit of outwitting your opponent with brains, not brawn. This is a very interesting book, both story and illustrations. Both the story itself and the illustrations are a little unusual, but they help teach valuable lessons. Nonfiction (398.2). Grades 3-5. 2003, Holiday House, Unpaged., $16.95. Ages 8 to 11.