The samurai code
A Bow Means Respect
The village elders bow and ask for help, and your child bows back. In Japanese a bow is rei. A deeper bow shows more respect.
The Way of the Samurai
The Peach Boy folktale from Japan
- 32 pages
- 8 × 11 in (21 × 28 cm) Hardcover
Your child steps out of a giant peach and spends one year in old Japan: lacing samurai armor, sharing dumplings with a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, steering by the North Star, and winning without a sword.
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Read and learn
Follow Japan’s Peach Boy folktale: a giant peach, a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, the ogres’ island, and a win without drawing a sword. Every story page has a true fact and a question to answer from the picture.
A sneak peek
Look inside
10 of the 30 story pages in The Way of the Samurai. Each one has a true fact and a question to find in the picture.
Shown with an example child. In your book, it’s your child. The printed book has 32 pages: an opening, 30 story pages and a closing.
Inside The Way of the Samurai
What your child will discover
One year in old Japan, spring blossom to winter snow. Each stop shows a real custom, and that strength can be quiet.
Kindness
One Dumpling, One Friend
Under red maples, your child offers a kibi dango to a white dog. A monkey and a pheasant follow. In Japanese they are inu, saru and kiji.
Courage
Calm Hands on the Oar
A small boat, a night storm and a crew that trusts each other. Your child steers, and on the crossing learns how sailors held course by the North Star.
Mercy
Strong Enough to Be Kind
The oni expect a fight. Your child keeps the sword sheathed and bandages the chief’s hand. The treasure comes back, including a straw cloak said to make you invisible.
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The Way of the Samurai
32 pages · 8 × 11 in (21 × 28 cm) Hardcover
$54.99USD
Your child stars in Japan’s Peach Boy folktale: samurai armor, hot-spring monkeys, whirlpool tides. 32-page hardcover, ages 4 to 10. Free preview.
Questions, answered
What is the story?
It’s a retelling of Momotaro, the Peach Boy, a Japanese folktale. Your child is born from a giant peach, shares dumplings with a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, and sails to the oni’s island. In this version the hero wins with calm and kindness, and the sword stays sheathed.
Is it scary?
It’s calm and brave in tone, made for ages 4 to 10. There is a storm, a dark island and big oni (Japanese ogres), drawn solemn and never snarling. It ends with the oni chief bowing and giving back what he took. The free preview includes the iron gate page, so you can judge for your child.
Is there a grown-up in this book?
No. Your child is the only person drawn from a photo, so you need just one. The old couple who raise the hero are story characters.
Is it history or make-believe?
The peach-born hero and the oni are folklore. Each page adds a true fact about Japan or nature, like samurai armor or hot-spring monkeys, plus a question your child answers by looking at the picture.
What is this book?
A personalized hardcover picture book about a Japanese legend. Your child is drawn into all 30 story pages, from a giant peach to the ogres’ island. Each page is one moment of the story, one true fact and one question your child can answer by looking at the picture.
What age is it for?
Ages 4 to 10. Younger listeners enjoy it read aloud; older kids read the facts and answer the questions on their own.
How big is it, and what’s it made of?
A landscape hardcover, 8 × 11 in (21 × 28 cm), with 32 pages: an opening, 30 story pages and a closing. Printed in full color on thick 170 gsm silk paper, with a matte-laminated cover.
What can I personalize?
Your child’s photo and name. The name goes on the cover.
Will the character look like my child?
Each character is drawn from the photo you upload, so your child will know the faces. A clear, front-facing photo in good light works best. Not happy? Add another photo and preview again, free.
Can I see the book before I buy?
Yes. Add your photos and tap Preview your book. In under a minute you’ll see your cover and a few pages, free. No account, no card, nothing charged until checkout.
Can I order more than one book?
Yes. All Cradl books share one cart, so you can mix titles and formats, and every book is the same price: $54.99 for a hardcover and $39.99 for a softcover.
When will it arrive?
Each book is printed close to you: in the US, the UK and Canada for those countries, and in New Zealand for Australia. It arrives in 5 to 7 business days in the US, 4 to 5 in the UK and Canada, and 7 to 12 in Australia.
How are my photos used?
Only to draw the characters in your book. They’re never shared publicly or used in advertising, and they’re automatically deleted 7 days after you upload them.
What if something’s wrong with my book?
You’re covered by our 30-day guarantee. If the book doesn’t match your preview, or arrives damaged or misprinted, tell us within 30 days of delivery and we’ll reprint it free or refund you in full, your choice.
How much is shipping?
One flat price per order, however many books are in it: $9.99 in the US, £4.99 in the UK, C$12.99 in Canada and A$12.99 in Australia. Prices include tax.
Still have a question? Email hello@cradl.co.