SOURCE: "Kids' Stuff from an Old Asia Hand," in The Wall Street Journal, October 7, 1986, p. 30.

In the following review, Groseclose praises Clavell's Thrump-o-moto for its appeal to adults as well as children.

Has success bored James Clavell?

How else can one explain the author's latest entry into the world of books? Not another Tai-Pan or Shogun—but rather a handsome, oversized children's story called Thrump-O-Moto.

Since Mr. Clavell's only other children's story was published 23 years ago, this new one is a departure worthy of note. His Whirlwind, the fifth in his series of Asian sagas that also will reach book-sellers soon, fetched a reported record $5 million for U.S. rights alone at a publisher's auction back in January.

Whatever the author's reasons for doing the book, Thrump-O-Moto is a delightful yarn. This reader's 14-year-old daughter, a discerning veteran of countless children's stories good and bad, swiped the book...