Giant Rice Cake Is Couple's Reward

Ann Tompert (author)
Demi (illustrator)
Bamboo Hats and a Rice Cake: a tale adapted from Japanese folklore
Crown, 1993

An old couple wish to have traditional rice cakes for the New Year, but they are very poor. Husband and wife agree to trade her 着物 (kimono) for 餅 (rice cakes). On his way to the market, the old man stops to brush the snow off six Jizo statues, promising to share 餅 on his return. Even before reaching the market, the old man begins to barter. First, the 着物 for some 扇 (fans), then 扇 for a gold 鈴 (bell), and so on until he leaves the market with five 笠 (bamboo hats). Along with his own, the old man gives the hats to the six Jizo before he returns home empty handed. His wife is not disappointed, but proud of her husband's kindness, and their virtues are rewarded. Ann Tompert's adaptation is moving, and incorporates kanji like rebuses. She carefully selects the characters so as to introduce readers to another language while reinforcing the narrative flow. Demi's illustrations are consistently delicate, sensitive, and alluring.