Kindergartner Yoko not only learns to write her letters and numbers in English, she shows her teacher and fellow students how to write their names using Japanese calligraphy.
Yoko Writes Her Name
Japan
Materials from Japan
The Funny Little Woman
While chasing a dumpling, a little lady is captured by wicked creatures from whom she escapes with the means of becoming the richest woman in Japan.
Kintaro’s Adventures And Other Japanese Children’s Stories
Singing turtles, a boy who wrestles wolves and a host of other beloved characters can be found in Kintaro’s Adventures and Other Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories. This volume contains six stories, including “How to Fool a Cat,” “The Princess and the Herdboy” and “Kintaro’s Adventures.”
I Am Tama, Lucky Cat
A retelling of the traditional Japanese tale describing the origins of the beckoning cat and how it came to be a symbol of good luck.
The Boy from the Dragon Palace
One day, a poor flower sellers drops his leftover flowers into the sea as a gift for the Dragon King. What does he get in return? A little snot-nosed boy–with the power to grant wishes! Soon the flower seller is rich, but when he forgets the meaning of “thank you,” he loses everything once again. “You just can’t help some humans,” say the snot-nosed little boy and the Dragon King.
Spirit’s Princess
In ancient Japan, Himiko, the privileged daughter of her clan’s leader, fights the constraints and expectations imposed on young women and finds her own path, which includes secret shaman lessons.
Shadows on the Moon
Trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving, sixteen-year-old Suzume, who is able to re-create herself in any form, is destined to use her skills to steal the heart of a prince in a revenge pot.
Stories To Play with: Kids’ Tales Told with Puppets, Paper, Toys, and Imagination
For storytellers who are just starting out, it seems appropriate to begin telling to young children. Yet young children present the most difficult audience a storyteller can face. So where does one begin? Simple. With some old newspaper and the story Rain Hat or Mountain Climbing, children will be enthralled at the action of the young hero as you fold and tear and create mountains, hats, fans, and boats right before their very eyes. Or, take a milk carton and make a frog puppet to tell the story.
Folktales from the Japanese Countryside
As in many countries, storytelling is a revered art in Japan, and traditional tales have been carefully preserved for centuries. Yet only a small portion of Japan’s tales has been shared with English-speaking audiences. From one of Japan’s most popular and respected storytellers, this collection introduces readers to more than 40 wondrous tales from rural Japan–stories they have not yet seen or heard-from animal tales and tales of supernatural beings to stories about village characters and priests and their apprentices. These are tales from the Japanese countryside, representative of the country’s rich folklore, and preserved and retold by a “ohanashi obaasan” (storytelling granny). You’ll find such stories as “Sky Watcher,” “Mouse Teeth,” “Owl’s Paintshop,” “Radish Bath,” and “Snow Woman’s Baby.” Tales are organized into broad thematic categories-animal tales, stories of village people, priests and their apprentices, strange happenings, yamanbas, and supernatural tales. It’s a fascinating assortment that will delight young listeners, intrigue older readers, and offer scholars new insights. Background on the country and Japanese culture, notes on the tales, a glossary, recipes, games and crafts, and color photos and illustrations enhance the collection.
Kokeshi: Aoki
Meet Aoki! She may be the smallest Kokeshi, but Aoki’s infectious enthusiasm can make anyone laugh. On her whirlwind trip to Tokyo, she will ride a high-speed train, dance under cherry blossom trees, and visit a zen garden. With sneak-peek flaps, fun die-cuts, and lavish gatefolds, this interactive exploration will enchant Kokeshi fans of all sizes!