Japan:
Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch
This is the true story of Hiromi Suzuki, a Japanese American girl who went on to become one of the first female sushi chefs in New York. Her father left Japan as a young sushi chef to come to America to open his own restaurant. As a young girl Hiromi became interested in her father's work, and after much begging, her father agreed to train her in the same rigorous way of apprenticeship that he underwent in Japan. Years of hard work and dedication pay off when Hiromi is finally presented with her own yanagi (sushi knife) and becomes the chef at her father's restaurant. This inspiring story shows that with hard work and determination, you can reach your dreams.
This is the true story of Hiromi Suzuki, a Japanese American girl who went on to become one of the first female sushi chefs in New York. Her father left Japan as a young sushi chef to come to America to open his own restaurant. As a young girl Hiromi became interested in her father's work, and after much begging, her father agreed to train her in the same rigorous way of apprenticeship that he underwent in Japan. Years of hard work and dedication pay off when Hiromi is finally presented with her own yanagi (sushi knife) and becomes the chef at her father's restaurant. This inspiring story shows that with hard work and determination, you can reach your dreams.
My First Book of Japanese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book by Michelle Haney Brown
A sweet and gentle introduction to the Japanese language and culture, with beautiful illustrations.
A sweet and gentle introduction to the Japanese language and culture, with beautiful illustrations.
In the Eyes of the Cat: Japanese Poetry for All Seasons selected and illustrated by Demi
The 77 poems are arranged by season, and are as simple and beautiful as you'd expect.
The 77 poems are arranged by season, and are as simple and beautiful as you'd expect.
Cool Melons – Turn to Frogs! The Life and Poems of Issa story and haiku translations by Matthew Gollub
From the publisher: "Matthew Gollub's poignant rendering of Issa's life (a Japanese poet born in 1763) and over thirty of his best-loved poems, along with Kazuko Stone's sensitive and humorous watercolor paintings, make Cool Melons a classic introduction to Issa's work for readers of all ages. With authentic Japanese calligraphy, a detailed Afterword, and exhaustive research by both author and illustrator, this is also an inspirational book about haiku, writing, nature, and life." I agree!
From the publisher: "Matthew Gollub's poignant rendering of Issa's life (a Japanese poet born in 1763) and over thirty of his best-loved poems, along with Kazuko Stone's sensitive and humorous watercolor paintings, make Cool Melons a classic introduction to Issa's work for readers of all ages. With authentic Japanese calligraphy, a detailed Afterword, and exhaustive research by both author and illustrator, this is also an inspirational book about haiku, writing, nature, and life." I agree!
Ten Oni Drummers by Matthew Gollub, illustrated by Kazuko G. Stone (a native of Japan)
A young boy falls asleep and dreams of oni (creatures from Japanese folk-lore) who come one by one until there are ten. Each of them is a taiko drummer with a Japanese numerical character on his shirt, and when they all play together, they chase the boy's bad dreams away. This cute book is written in rhyme and contains end notes that give more information about onis, taiko drums, and kanji (Chinese characters that the Japanese adopted hundreds of years ago.)
A young boy falls asleep and dreams of oni (creatures from Japanese folk-lore) who come one by one until there are ten. Each of them is a taiko drummer with a Japanese numerical character on his shirt, and when they all play together, they chase the boy's bad dreams away. This cute book is written in rhyme and contains end notes that give more information about onis, taiko drums, and kanji (Chinese characters that the Japanese adopted hundreds of years ago.)
The East-West House: Noguchi’s Childhood in Japan by Christy Hale
Isamu Noguchi was a boy of the East and the West, born in the U.S.A. to a Japanese father and a Scotch-Irish American mother, who grew up in Japan. He always felt the tug of his biracial heritage, and it was only through the natural world that he came to reconcile all parts of himself. Noguchi became a well-respected artist in many genres: sculptor, designer, landscape architect.
Isamu Noguchi was a boy of the East and the West, born in the U.S.A. to a Japanese father and a Scotch-Irish American mother, who grew up in Japan. He always felt the tug of his biracial heritage, and it was only through the natural world that he came to reconcile all parts of himself. Noguchi became a well-respected artist in many genres: sculptor, designer, landscape architect.
A Place Where Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai
In an internment camp with thousands of other Japanese Americans, Mari has a hard time drawing in her art classes, as there is no inspiration from her bleak surroundings. Slowly hope begins to grow alongside the sunflower seeds her mother had planted.
In an internment camp with thousands of other Japanese Americans, Mari has a hard time drawing in her art classes, as there is no inspiration from her bleak surroundings. Slowly hope begins to grow alongside the sunflower seeds her mother had planted.
One Leaf Rides the Wind by Celeste Mannis
This sweet counting book illuminates a young girl's time in a beautiful garden, written in haiku.
This sweet counting book illuminates a young girl's time in a beautiful garden, written in haiku.
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki
A young boy and his father form a baseball league inside an internment camp for Japanese Americans, where they were being held. This league gives the inmates hope in a time of despair.
A young boy and his father form a baseball league inside an internment camp for Japanese Americans, where they were being held. This league gives the inmates hope in a time of despair.
Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Ken Mochizuki
This is the true and incredible story of Chiune Suihara, a Japanese diplomat who lived in Lithuania during WWII. He had the ability to help thousands of Jews escape the horrors of the Holocaust through Japan, but his government would not allow it. In response to his son's questions, he chose to go against his government's orders and sign the papers that would give the Jewish people in his area a passage to freedom.
This is the true and incredible story of Chiune Suihara, a Japanese diplomat who lived in Lithuania during WWII. He had the ability to help thousands of Jews escape the horrors of the Holocaust through Japan, but his government would not allow it. In response to his son's questions, he chose to go against his government's orders and sign the papers that would give the Jewish people in his area a passage to freedom.
Hi, Koo! A Year of Seasons by Jon J. Muth
A delightful romp through the four seasons through haiku.
A delightful romp through the four seasons through haiku.
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein
A tale of a cat in Kyoto, Japan who sets off on an adventure to find the meaning of her name. She learns that Wabi Sabi is a Japanese philosophy of seeing beauty in simplicity, the ordinary, and the imperfect. The simple haiku is paired wonderfully with the collage illustrations and bring Wabi Sabi to life.
A tale of a cat in Kyoto, Japan who sets off on an adventure to find the meaning of her name. She learns that Wabi Sabi is a Japanese philosophy of seeing beauty in simplicity, the ordinary, and the imperfect. The simple haiku is paired wonderfully with the collage illustrations and bring Wabi Sabi to life.
Books by Allen Say (who is Japanese, born in Japan), especially Grandfather’s Journey
I Live in Tokyo by Mari Takabayashi (born in Toyko, Japan)
Get a year-long glimpse into the life of seven-year-old Mimiko who lives in Tokyo with her family.
Get a year-long glimpse into the life of seven-year-old Mimiko who lives in Tokyo with her family.
Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog by Pamela S. Turner
The amazing story of a dog who went to the train station in Tokyo every day for ten years, waiting for his deceased master to return. The true story is told through a fictitious character who befriends the dog. The end of the book chronicles the true story behind the story.
The amazing story of a dog who went to the train station in Tokyo every day for ten years, waiting for his deceased master to return. The true story is told through a fictitious character who befriends the dog. The end of the book chronicles the true story behind the story.
Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki
Suki insists upon wearing her kimono on her first day of first grade, and despite initial teasing, she delights her new teacher and classmates with her retelling about the street festival she attended in the summer with her visiting grandmother, and with the impromptu dance that slips out of her feet as she recalls the event and the time with her grandmother.
Suki insists upon wearing her kimono on her first day of first grade, and despite initial teasing, she delights her new teacher and classmates with her retelling about the street festival she attended in the summer with her visiting grandmother, and with the impromptu dance that slips out of her feet as she recalls the event and the time with her grandmother.
Yuki and the One Thousand Carriers by Gloria Whelan
Based on true historical events of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when attendants (carriers) had to travel with the governors on their 300 mile journey from along the Tokaido Road to modern-day Tokyo, this story is told through the eyes of a young girl who must accompany her father and their family on this journey. Yuki is reluctant, as she does not want to leave the home she loves, but she is respectful and obedient, and decides to record her thoughts and feelings in haiku as she learns about her new surroundings and temporary home.
Based on true historical events of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when attendants (carriers) had to travel with the governors on their 300 mile journey from along the Tokaido Road to modern-day Tokyo, this story is told through the eyes of a young girl who must accompany her father and their family on this journey. Yuki is reluctant, as she does not want to leave the home she loves, but she is respectful and obedient, and decides to record her thoughts and feelings in haiku as she learns about her new surroundings and temporary home.
Japanese nursery rhymes: Carp streamers, falling rain by Danielle Wright
This is a wonderful book filled with fifteen Japanese nursery rhymes, written in both Japanese and English. The included CD has the songs in both languages as well - a listening pleasure!
This is a wonderful book filled with fifteen Japanese nursery rhymes, written in both Japanese and English. The included CD has the songs in both languages as well - a listening pleasure!
