Taro lives with his poor widowed mother in ancient Japan, but he is so lazy that all he does is eat and sleep. It was said that if no one woke him, he would sleep for three years! When a rich merchant moves next door, Taro (between naps) comes up with a ploy to marry his beautiful daughter. Trickery ensues, but who will have the last laugh? The beautiful illustrations convey the mood and tone of the story.
Awards won: Caldecott Honor Book 1989
Date read: 7/22/2010
ISBN-10: 0395440904
ISBN-13: 9780395440902