[Mochikawa Culture] Integrity and Ingenuity Set

This set includes 3 books: The Water-Babies: A Fantasy Journey into the Underwater World of Growing Up The Tales of Reynard the Fox: The Extraordinary Life of a Witty Fox World Classics That Will Influence Children for a Lifetime: The Good Soldier Švejk [Masterpiece Collection] Series Treasured literary classics, worth reading again and again! This series features bestselling masterpieces from around the world, refined by time and still shining brightly in the eyes of generations of readers. They are essential readings for children to begin their literary journey. Masters observe life and society with clear insight, using rich and refined prose to portray human nature and tell stories that reflect real life. Engaging plots and relatable characters will deeply touch and inspire children, nurturing the love, courage, and wisdom needed for their growth. [World Classics That Will Influence Children for a Lifetime] Featuring captivating stories from 10 countries including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic, Russia, and China, this collection allows children to not only immerse themselves in the plots and experience growth and adventure with the characters but also to appreciate the span of time, culture, and changing landscapes. This series will be a wonderful reading experience for children, a must-have collection they shouldn't miss. The Good Soldier Švejk is a story from the Czech Republic. Its author, Hašek, passed away in 1923, leaving the book unfinished. He was a romantic idealist, also embodying a radical revolutionary spirit. Once predicted by a teacher to be the Mark Twain of Czechoslovakia, Hašek's representative work, The Good Soldier Švejk, indeed became a classic masterpiece that embodies the Czech national spirit. Book Synopses The Water-Babies: A Fantasy Journey into the Underwater World of Growing Up Tom, an orphan, works for his abusive master, Grimes, sweeping chimneys. One day, they are sent to the grand Hartlebury Manor. Accidentally mistaken for a thief, Tom flees in panic. Exhausted, he falls into the water and is transformed by water sprites into a clean Water-Baby. Tom, still mischievous underwater, often teases weaker creatures. Under the guidance of the fairies, he gradually learns to restrain himself. To broaden his horizons and discover who he wants to be, the fairy advises Tom to go to "Heaven" alone to help someone he dislikes. Can Tom overcome all difficulties and complete his mission? Whom will the fairy ask him to help? The Tales of Reynard the Fox: The Witty Fox's Extraordinary Life Reynard the Fox, after unexpectedly rescuing the Lion King, is promoted from a citizen to a baron and is granted a magnificent castle in Mable. From then on, he meticulously plots to approach and overthrow powerful animals to establish an equal nation. After mingling in high society, Reynard meets influential figures such as Isengrim the wolf, Tibert the cat, Chanticleer the rooster, and Brun the bear, the Lion King's confidant, and becomes well-acquainted with the King and Queen. He gradually enacts his revenge plan against the nobles who oppress the common folk, but is framed by his enemies, causing the Lion King to lose faith in him. Can Reynard break through the siege and defeat the long-standing oppressive forces? World Classics That Will Influence Children for a Lifetime: The Good Soldier Švejk, Winner of the 74th "Good Books for All Readers" Award, Literature - Group B Švejk, a discharged soldier with a straightforward and boisterous personality, often gets himself into trouble but never seems to mind. When questioned by secret police, Švejk, unlike other timid citizens, speaks nonsensically, as if he understands but doesn't. Even when accused of treason and imprisoned, he remains nonchalant. He seems to have no concept of hierarchy and treats power with disdain. His supposed cleverness leads to dereliction of duty, and he accidentally puts on enemy uniforms, leading to his capture. Yet, he always emerges unscathed, while others suffer misfortune. Is he fearless, or truly foolish? Did he make the right choices, or was it just his good luck? Faced with a series of absurd events that could cost him his life, ordinary people would feel fear and despair, but he laughs at it all. Let us join Švejk as he confronts social injustice and hardship with a humorous attitude. Author Biographies Charles Kingsley A renowned 19th-century British children's author, Kingsley wrote over sixty novels and essays, with "The Water-Babies" being his representative work. Kingsley spent much of his childhood in small fishing villages along the western coast of England. He graduated from Cambridge University with honors in 1843 and later became a clergyman, actively participating in the Christian socialist reform movement. In 1873, he was appointed as a canon of Westminster Abbey, one of Britain's most famous cathedrals. Madame M.H. Guéron The original text of "The Tales of Reynard the Fox" dates back to Latin narrative poems from around the 10th and 11th centuries, later revised into a collection of twenty-seven fables. Influenced by "Aesop's Fables," French author Madame M.H. Guéron compiled the fable collections popular at the time into the version of "The Tales of Reynard the Fox" that is still beloved today. Jaroslav Hašek A master of humor, a satirical writer, and a social anarchist. Due to his family's financial struggles, Hašek moved more than ten times in his childhood, never experiencing a truly stable life. He worked various jobs, served time in prison, and wandered extensively, all of which are reflected in his writings. His unrestrained personality, filled with humor and sharp satire, earned him the title "Father of Czech Prose." He was an anti-war and prolific writer, with approximately 1,500 short stories surviving.