The Girl Who Loved Caterpillars

by Jean Merrill

Book Overview

Twelfth-century Japan was hardly a time of feminism, but this story tells a tale, found on a scroll, of a strong girl with ideas of her own. . . . The drama of the story is stunningly captured by Cooper's soft oil-wash paintings. . . . Truly, a timeless story.--School Library Journal, starred review. Full-color illustrations.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399218718
• ISBN13: 9780399218712
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 5

Customer Reviews

The only version of this fascinating Japanese fairy tale available in America

This children's book is the only version of this 12th century Japanese fairy tale I could find in English in the US. The bold, courageous heroine of the story is charming and delightful, and the illustrations are beautiful. The original story was supposed to have informed Miyazaki's lovely animated film "Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind," which I also highly recommend.

Beautiful illustrations; lovely tale of medieval Japan

This is a marvellous presentation of the traditional Japanese tale ``The lady who loved insects''. It has an admirable protagonist in the title character who is sensible and strong, able to think for herself, who resists the pressures to conform.