Margaret Dilloway's "Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters"

Margaret Dilloway has been a writer ever since she learned how to write. In high school she was a California Arts Scholar in creative writing and she won a National Council of Teachers of English writing award. She practiced writing in a variety of forms, such as being a theater critic and a contributing editor for two weekly newspapers, doing technical writing, and writing plays, before publishing three critically acclaimed books for adults: How to Be an American Housewife, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns, and Sisters of Heart and Snow. Her research for Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters included a trip to Japan and a samurai sword-fighting class. Dilloway lives in southern California with her husband, three children, and a goldendoodle named Gatsby.

Here Dilloway dreamcasts an adaptation of Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters:

Joey Morris as Xander. My husband and I were watching Genie in a Bikini on Nickelodeon with our youngest and we turned to each other and said, "Xander!"

Paris Berelc as Jinx-- she has mad gymnastics skills!

Charles Vandervaart as Peyton.

Caitriona Balfe from Outlander for Xander's Mom.

Joe Odagiri, a wonderful Japanese actor who went to college in Fresno, for Xander's Dad-- he's known as the Japanese Johnny Depp, and I think Xander's dad is sort of quirky yet strong, like him.

Daniel Henney for the young grandfather.

Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa for the old grandfather.

Kyoko Kagawa as Obachan (Xander's grandma).

Learn more about the book and author at Margaret Dilloway's website and blog.

Coffee with a Canine: Margaret Dilloway and Gatsby.

The Page 69 Test: Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters.

--Marshal Zeringue

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