Japan
Sato the Rabbit
By Yuki Ainoya, Michael Blaskowsky (Translator)
Sato the Rabbit. Yuki Ainoya. Translated by Michael Blaskowsky. Enchanted Lion Books, 2021. Originally published as うさぎのさとうくん (Usagi no Sato-kun) in Japanese by Shogakukan, in 2006. ISBN 9781592703180. 64 p. (Ages 4-7). Picture book.
A sweet and charming series of vignettes about a little boy named Sato who imagines himself a rabbit. Real life chores and activities are the background in the exploration of childhood imagination of catching stars, exploring the ocean and sky, and more. A 2022 Batchelder Honor Award winner, listed on several “best books” lists. [all]
Chirri & Chirra
By Kaya Doi, Yuki Kaneko (Translator)
Chirri & Chirra. Kaya Doi. Translated by Yuki Kaneko. Enchanted Lion Books, 2016. Originally published as チリとチリリ (Chiri to Chiriri) in Japanese in 2003. ISBN 9781592701995. 40 p. (Ages 3-8). Picture book.
A gentle and sweet story about identical girls who ride their bikes and have fantastical adventures along the way. The first book in an easy-to-read series with charming colored pencil drawings. Author and series are well-known in Japan, and the series has earned many starred reviews and “best of year” awards. [all]
Over the Ocean
By Taro Gomi, Taylor Norman (Translator)
Over the Ocean. Taro Gomi. Translated by Taylor Norman. Chronicle Books LLC, 2016. Originally published as うみのむこうは (Umi no Mukô wa) in Japanese by Ehonkan Inc., in Tokyo, in 1979. ISBN 9781452145150. 36 p. (Ages 3-6). Picture book.
A girl stands at the edge of the ocean and imagines what is over the ocean–from farms and cities to the people that may be across the ocean, wondering right back. Colorful and bold illustrations with a simple but timeless message. A 2017 Batchelder Honor Award winner. Author has published more than 450 books in Japanese, including Everyone Poops and the “Little” series. [all]
The World's Poorest President Speaks Out
By Yoshimi Kusaba (Editor), Andrew Wong (Translator), Gaku Nakagawa (Illustrator)
The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out. Edited by Yoshimi Kusaba. Translated by Andrew Wong. Illustrated by Gaku Nakagawa. Enchanted Lions Books, 2020. Originally published as 世界でいちばん貧しい大統領のスピーチ (Sekai De Ichiban Mazushi Daitoryo No Speech) in Japanese by Choubunsha Publishing, Co. Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2014. ISBN 9781592702893. 40 p. (Ages 5-10). Picture book.
Based on Uruguay president José Mujica's 2012 speech to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Thought-provoking and a good introduction to discussions on poverty, social justice, and having enough. Worlds of Words recommended book, April 2021. [all]
You Look Yummy!
By Tatsuya Miyanishi, Mariko Shii Garbi (Translator)
You Look Yummy! Tatsuya Miyanishi. Translated by Mariko Shii Garbi. Museyon, Inc., 2015. Originally published as おまえ うまそうだな (Omae Umasou dana) in Japanese by Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd., in 2003. ISBN 9781940842066. 40 p. (Ages 5-7). Picture book.
A tyrannosaurus accidentally finds himself the father of a newly-hatched ankylosaurus. Bold colors and stylized drawing are fun and engaging in this entry in the popular Tyrannosaurus series. Author is well-known in Japan, and has won several awards including the Kodansha Cultural Award for Picture Books and the Kenbuchi Picture Book Grand Prize. [all]
Once Upon a Time in Japan
By Roger Pulvers and Juliet Winters Carpenter (Translators), Manami Yamada. Tomori Taniguchi. Nao Takabatake and Takumi Nishio (Illustrators)
Once Upon a Time in Japan. NHK World. Translated by Roger Pulvers and Juliet Winters Carpenter. Illustrated by Manami Yamada, Tomonori Taniguchi, Nao Takabatake, and Takumi Nishio. Includes CD of stories read aloud by Yuko Aotani. Published by Tuttle Publishing in cooperation with NHK Japan Broadcasting Corporation, 2015. Originally part of a special series produced by Radio Japan, NHK World’s radio service in 18 languages. ISBN 9784805313596. 120 p. (Ages 8-12). Picture book with CD.
Collection of eight Japanese folk and fairy tales gives a good introduction to non-Western storytelling. Stories include animals, everyday people and magical beings who learn a lesson through their actions. A 2015 Gelett Burgess Award for Best Multicultural Children’s Book. [all]
Every Color of Light: A Book about the Sky
By Hiroshi Osada, David Boyd (Translator), Ryōji Arai (Illustrator)
Every Color of Light: A Book about the Sky. Hiroshi Osada. Translated by David Boyd. Illustrated by Ryōji Arai. Enchanted Lion Books, 2020. Originally published as きょうはそらにまるいつき (Kyō wa sora ni marui tsuki) in Japanese by Kodansha Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2011. ISBN 9781592702916. 38 p. (Ages 4-10). Picture book.
Lyrical text and expansive landscapes showcase the beauty of a day in nature, from light rain to storms to the clearing night sky. A 2020 Kirkus Best Book and 2021 Northern Lights Best Illustrator winner. Illustrator Ryōji Arai won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2015.[all]
When the Sakura Bloom
By Narisa Togo, Michael Sedunary (Translator)
When the Sakura Bloom. Narisa Togo. Translated by Michael Sedunary. Berbay Publishing Pty Ltd, 2022. Originally published as さくらがさくと (Sakura Ga Sakuto) in Japanese by Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers, Inc., in Tokyo, in 2020. ISBN 97806489953319. 32 p. (Ages 4-8). Picture book.
In Japan, the hustle and bustle of daily life takes a pause when the cherry blossoms bloom and an annual festival happens. A Freeman Honor Award book and on the 2023 USBBY Outstanding International Books list. For programming ideas, see Teaching Books Page from USBBY. [all]
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe
By Megumi Iwasa, Cathy Hirano (Translator), Jun Takabatake (Illustrator)
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe. Megumi Iwasa. Translated by Cathy Hirano. Illustrated by Jun Takabatake. Gecko Press USA, 2017. Originally published as ぼくはアフリカにすむキリンといいます (Boku wa Africa ni Sumu Kirin to Iimasu) in Japanese by Kaisei-sha Publishing Co., Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2001. ISBN 9781927271889. 104 p. (Ages 7-10). Fiction.
A bored giraffe decides to write a letter and see who answers. Penguin becomes his pen pal and a charming friendship develops as they get to know each other. Winner of 2018 German Children's Literature Award and a 2017 NYPL Top 10 book. [all]