The Littlest Samurai

First few pages of the book!

On his birthday, Maro waited for something special in the mail from his Grandfather. Finally, it arrived.

“Mother!” exclaimed Maro, “Look what the Hawk brought me in the mail!”

Maro quickly unfurled the letter.

“Why don’t you read it to me my darling,” said his mother.

Maro took a deep breath and read aloud…

Maro,

Happy Birthday! I miss you very much. I have a present for you that is too important to mail to you. Come visit me my little samurai!

Love, Grandpa

“Oh mother, please can we go to visit Grandpa?” asked Maro

“I think you’re old enough now to visit Grandpa yourself. I think you’re responsible enough that you can do it on your own,” said his mother.

“Tomorrow you can go. You must first go through the neighboring village and then take Kame the Turtle’s raft across the river to get to Grandpa’s house in the East. If anyone mischievous comes your way you must promise to be careful and stay out of trouble.”

The Littlest Samurai

This is a story about a young rabbit, taking on responsibility for the first time, making new friends and making good decisions.

Set against the backdrop of the far East, Maro gets a message from his Grandfather asking him to come and visit. Since this is his first time traveling on his own, he promises his mother he will not get into any trouble on the way.

While traveling, he meets new friends Saru, a nimble monkey, and Inu, a strong dog. When they come to Kame’s raft to take them across the river, a bully of a Boar named Inoshishi muscles his way onto the raft without paying. The boar is disrupting the peace, and Maro knows right from wrong. So how does he help his friends? By using his head, thinking and just being himself.

 The Littlest Samurai is a fun book for children ages 4-8.