The Inch-High Samurai

One of three titles published this fall from Kodansha's series of classic Japanese folktales ( Grandfather Cherry-Blossom and The Moon Princess are the others), this story of a childless couple who gives birth to a tiny boy (``no bigger than your toe'') will captivate readers. Inchy Bo may be small of stature, but he has courage to spare and, determined to become a samurai, sets off in a rice bowl (with a chopstick for an oar, of course) to seek his fortune. Hired to serve as bodyguard for the lovely Lady Haru (``So cute!'' she said. ``And yet, so brave!''), Inchy soon proves his worth, rescuing first a poem his charge has written that falls into the goldfish pond, and later vanquishing a monster many times his size. Transformed to the height of a man by a magic mallet, our hero wins the hand of his beloved and lives happily ever after. Retold by McCarthy in droll, boisterous verse, this tale features many of the common themes running through Western fairy tales, yet retains a uniquely Japanese flavor. The artwork (reproductions from Japan's golden age of illustration) is in the classic tradition--formal, stylized and as graceful as cherry blossoms in springtime. The series will be a worthy addition to the multicultural bookshelf. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)