About the Book:
   The farmer and his family can’t wait to escape the Poor God who lives in their attic.  They’ll leave before the sun comes up, and they’ll never be poor again!  But something keeps them from leaving, and in their Poor God they find a richness they would not have found anywhere else.  Ruth Well’s retelling of this Japanese folktale, with Yoshi’s lush illustrations, creates a compelling book and reminds us that sometimes what we’re looking for is in the most unexpected places.  

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About the Star:
Originally from Japan and an American citizen, Master Hidy Ochiai began training in the martial arts at the age of six.  He is considered to be a living legend among enthusiasts of the martial arts, as a competitor, demonstrator and teacher.  In August of 2004, he was inducted to the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, CA after receiving a record number of votes.  As a pioneer in the field of character education, Master Ochiai has dedicated his life to teaching traditional martial arts as a means to help children and young adults practice the principles of non-violence—based on self-respect, respect for others, self-discipline, self-confidence—so they grow to be constructive citizens, living in harmony with others.  Master Ochiai is the author of five books, including The Complete Book of Self-defense, and Hidy Ochiai’s Self-defense for Kids: A Guide for Parents and Teachers.  In years past, Master Ochiai spent hours telling his two sons, Derek and Brent, traditional stories from Japan and now he has the pleasure of sharing these stories with his grandson, Whitman.

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