I’m so excited about this!!! We will definitely get these - my husband and I have been working on our Japanese and really want to raise our 1/4 Japanese kids with at least some level of fluency (fingers truly crossed). And definitely incorporate a bit of the culture. Thank you for this!
Duolingo sometimes, but we are working through a book called Japanese from Zero! I’ve worked more on learning Hiragana lately and really need to work on vocab and speaking/listening. If you have any recommendations let us know🥰
Yessss the interior design! So cozy, right? I’m surprised you don’t remember Maa-chan! Maybe you were still pretty little when I was obsessed with it. 🎀
These look amazing! I’m actually including a book about Guri and Gura in my next post. I read online that the series was really popular in the 1970s and I’m curious if you’re familiar with it?
This is lovely Erika, these all look so lovely! I teach Japanese students as an ESL teacher so it makes me want to ask if they have any of these titles in their homes:)
So fun reading everyone’s comments😊 I can’t get rid of any of the Japanese picture books and most of English/ American ones! I’m so glad you’ve carried on our love of picture books❤️
I know! It’s such a good feeling to know others enjoyed getting a peek into these children’s books. 😍 Just finished up organizing our bookshelves and color coordinating them! I’ve donated a bunch but still have so many.
I love learning about this part of your childhood. 🥰 They all sound and look like such beautiful books!
Madeline was definitely a favorite for us growing up, and then it wasn't until just a few years ago that you introduced me to The Little Prince, which is my favorite now as an adult.
I'm very late to this post (found you via your comment about Taro Gomi's poop book on Sarah Miller's recent post!). I'm looking forward to searching for some of your suggestions here in France.
Have had some good luck finding titles on Vinted (second hand sales site) and our library stocks a few. Otherwise I've got a wish list on the go for future Japan visits.
I found Taro Gomi's Everyone Poops book in French too (On fait tous caca!) it's a big hit here, thanks for recommending it!
I’m so excited about this!!! We will definitely get these - my husband and I have been working on our Japanese and really want to raise our 1/4 Japanese kids with at least some level of fluency (fingers truly crossed). And definitely incorporate a bit of the culture. Thank you for this!
You’re welcome Laura! I love that y’all want to strengthen Japanese fluency and pass that along. What are you using to study? 📖
Duolingo sometimes, but we are working through a book called Japanese from Zero! I’ve worked more on learning Hiragana lately and really need to work on vocab and speaking/listening. If you have any recommendations let us know🥰
That's awesome! Way to go!! 🥳
GENKI textbooks are great: amazon.com/GENKI-Integrated-Elementary-Japanese-English/dp/4789014401
Also, I've loved the Tofugu website. They have SO many resources and recommendations there you can look through: tofugu.com
For speaking/listening, I suggest the Learn Japanese with Noriko and Mari's Japanese Class podcasts on Spotify.
Hope this helps a bit!
Thank you so much!!
Super happy to help!
Ok, you’re not going to want to hear this….so please brace yourself….
My husband threw out all the kids books I collected, including most of my childhood books. 😔
He was doing a huge clear out of the garage and off it went into the skip bin one day.
If I think about it too much, I will get sad, so I just tell myself I will collect again when there are grandkids in the home.
These are the books from my childhood https://hirose1117.ocnk.net/product/1981 & https://www.ebay.ca/itm/354895098981
I loved them so much (had a bit of a princess obsession). 💕
Oh no!! That’s so sad. 😭 I’m sorry you no longer have those treasured books! The manga covers were lovely.
Good, I wish I grew up with these! Little Daruma & Little Tengu sounds so cool. Are none of these books available in English?
The only one in English is actually Little Daruma & Little Tengu! But I’m seeing it online in very few places and for $40 USD. 😳
Ahh… that’s unfortunate. Maybe I’ll find it in ebook format at some point. It really seems cool.
I found someone’s homemade YouTube video of the two translations: https://youtu.be/5B0Xj5QppV8?si=Gpnsa1dQi40q-rLt
Jackpot! It really is a gorgeous and funny book. Thanks a lot for the find!
I remember most of these books!! The girl with the long hair isn’t ringing much of a bell, but everything else brings back memories 🥰
Pisuke is one of my favorites for the interior design spread haha!
Yessss the interior design! So cozy, right? I’m surprised you don’t remember Maa-chan! Maybe you were still pretty little when I was obsessed with it. 🎀
Well, this was just delightful. Thank you for sharing these, Erika. (And thank you, also, for the shoutout -- I appreciate it!)
You're so welcome! I'm a huge fan of your Substack. 😍
Aw, thank you so much 🩷
These look amazing! I’m actually including a book about Guri and Gura in my next post. I read online that the series was really popular in the 1970s and I’m curious if you’re familiar with it?
Hi Sri! It’s nice to meet you! YES—I almost considered adding Guri & Gura to this. 💛 Such a sweet series!! The books are at my mom’s.
That is so cool! I’ve only found a couple that are English translation but I love how sweet and precocious they are.
Are you familiar with Tarō Gomi’s work? There are quite a few English translations! His classic is “Everybody Poops.” 😂
*oops, I meant “Everyone”
This is lovely Erika, these all look so lovely! I teach Japanese students as an ESL teacher so it makes me want to ask if they have any of these titles in their homes:)
Thanks Nic! And I love that you're an ESL teacher. I'd be SO curious if they know about these books too! 🤩
So fun reading everyone’s comments😊 I can’t get rid of any of the Japanese picture books and most of English/ American ones! I’m so glad you’ve carried on our love of picture books❤️
I know! It’s such a good feeling to know others enjoyed getting a peek into these children’s books. 😍 Just finished up organizing our bookshelves and color coordinating them! I’ve donated a bunch but still have so many.
(I don’t think I could ever giveaway our Japanese ones though.)
Oh, such a beautiful post, Erika - I learned so much! The books: what wonderful gifts from your Obaachan. 😊
Thank you, Rebecca!! She’s a fantastic gift-giver. 💝
I love learning about this part of your childhood. 🥰 They all sound and look like such beautiful books!
Madeline was definitely a favorite for us growing up, and then it wasn't until just a few years ago that you introduced me to The Little Prince, which is my favorite now as an adult.
I’ll have to show them to you next time you visit!! And yesss to Madeline. Remember we had the dolls?! 🤩
Of course I remember the dolls! 🤩
I'm very late to this post (found you via your comment about Taro Gomi's poop book on Sarah Miller's recent post!). I'm looking forward to searching for some of your suggestions here in France.
I wrote about some of my favourite Japanese picture books here: https://open.substack.com/pub/petitbookworms/p/japanese-picture-books?r=3lub3t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Welcome! I’m so happy we both share a love for Japanese children’s books. 🤩 Did you have any luck finding these titles in France? 👀
Have had some good luck finding titles on Vinted (second hand sales site) and our library stocks a few. Otherwise I've got a wish list on the go for future Japan visits.
I found Taro Gomi's Everyone Poops book in French too (On fait tous caca!) it's a big hit here, thanks for recommending it!