University of Pittsburgh University Center for International Studies Asian Studies Center Books and Curriculum Materials of the Asian Studies Teaching Resource Library (revised July, 2019) Some books may be marked as shelved with the children's books. (See separate catalog, below.) These books are especially recommended for elementary-school children and can be found separate from the main body of each country's books. Japan - Children's Books Copyright Title Date Description Length Level Author Publisher The Adventures of Momotaro, the 1993 Very famous story. English and Japanese 47 pg. (K-6) Illustrated by Suiho Yonai. Kodansha International Peach Boy Retold by Ralph F. McCarthy The Angry Jizo 2001 A touching story of a Hiroshima victim 32 pg. + 4 (K-8) Yamaguchi Shoten page book report Books and Curriculum Materials Page 19 Asian Studies Teaching Resource Library The Beckoning Cat 2009 A retelling of the traditional Japanese tale 32 pg. (K-4 Koko Nishizuka Holiday House describing the origins of the beckoning cat and how Collection) it came to be a symbol of good luck. Best-Loved Children's Songs from 1986 Contains the lyrics and melodies to fifteen Japanese 32 pg. (K-4 Yoko Imoto Heian Japan children’s songs with translations. Collection) The Boy of the Three-Year Nap 1988 Taro is a Japanese boy whose penchant for sleeping 32 pg. (K-5) Dianne Snyder Houghton Mifflin Company is the butt of village jokes. He cannot be coaxed into working, despite his mother's pleas, until he falls in love with a rich merchant's daughter and hatches a scheme to make himself wealthy. The Bracelet 1993 It is 1942, and seven-year-old Emi is being sent to 32 pg. (K-5) Yoshiko Uchida / Joanna Philomel Books - New York an internment camp with her mother and older Yardley sister. Her father was arrested earlier and incarcerated in a camp in Montana. Temporarily herded into stables at a race track with other Japanese-American families, Emi realizes that she has lost the bracelet that her best friend, Laurie Madison, gave her as a parting keepsake. A Coloring Book of Japan 1984 This is a splendid history of Japanese art, from the (K-4 Harry Knill Bellerophon Books most ancient to Hokusai & Utamaro. There are Collection) warriors, actors and dancers, children at play and amusing animals, all ready to be colored in. Cool Melons—Turn to Frogs! 1998 An illustrated biography and introduction to the 40 pg. (K-4 Matthew Gollub Lee & Low Books The Life and Poems of Issa work of the Japanese haiku poet whose love for Collection) nature finds expression in the more than thirty poems included in this book. Count Your Way through Japan 1987 Excellent picture book. 24 pg. (K-6) Jim Haskins Carolrhoda Books, Inc. (2 copies) Drawing From Memory 2011 Caldecott Medalist Allen Say presents a stunning 63 pg. (4-8) Allen Say Scholastic Press graphic novel chronicling his journey as an artist during WWII, when he apprenticed under Noro Shinpei, Japan’s premier cartoonist Face Food: The Visual Creativity 2008 With Face Food, Christopher D Salyers documents 80 pg. (7-16+; with Christopher D. Salyers Mark Batty Publisher of Japanese Bento Boxes the very real phenomenon of crafting food into K-4 visually creative and appealing forms, such as Collection) Pikachu, Daraemon and Cindarella, bringing health, heart and imagination to the bento box. Books and Curriculum Materials Page 20 Asian Studies Teaching Resource Library Festivals of the World: Japan 1997 Describes how the culture of Japan is reflected in 32 pg. (K-4 Susan McKay Benchmark Books its festivals, including the Gion Festival, the Fire Collection) Festivals, and the Sapporo Snow Festival. Floating Laterns & Golden 2000 Covers 7 different festivals, among them Obon, 49 pg. (K-6) Rena Krasno. Illustrated Pacific View Press Shrines: Celebrating Japanese Hina Matsuri, Sakura Matsuri by Toru Sugita Festivals Food and Recipes of Japan 1999 Describes some of the foods enjoyed in Japan and 24 pg. (K-4 Theresa M. Beatty PowerKids Press provides recipes for several popular Japanese Collection) dishes. The Funny Little Woman 1972 A retelling of a tale by Lafcadio Hearn. 40 pg. (K-4 Arlene Mosel Puffin Collection) Grandfather's Journey 2008 A picture book in which a Japanese American man 32 pg. (K-2) Allen Say Houghton Mifflin Company recounts his grandfather's journey to America which he later also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries. Grandpa’s Town 1991 Gorgeous picture book depicting a traditional life 32 pg. (K-6) Takaki Nomura Kane/Miller Book Publishers style and family relations. Hokusai: The Man Who Painted a 2001 An illustrated biography of Hokusai. 40 pg. (K-4 Deborah Kogan Ray Farrar, Straus, and Giroux Mountain Collection) How My Parents Learned to Eat 1984 Cute story of a Japanese-American family. 32 pg. (K-6) Ina R. Friedman Houghton Mifflin Company How to Perform Kamishibai Q&A 2006 Cheerful advice for kamishibai (paper theatre) 96 pg. (Grades 9- Noriko Matsui Doshinsha performance. 16+) I Live in Tokyo 2001 An illustrated description of life in Tokyo. 32 pg. (K-4 Mari Takabayashi Sandpiper Collection) The Inch-High Samurai 1993 Bilingual edition of a very famous story 47 pg. (K-5) Illustrated by Suiho Yonai. Kodansha International Retold by Ralph F. McCarthy Japan: The Culture (1989); The 1989 Excellent photos for classroom use. 32 pg. (K-6) Bobbie Kalman Crabtree Publishing People (1989); The Land (1989) Company Japan: A Family Visit 1986 Large picture book with a text focusing on one 62 pg. (K-6) Gib Goodfellow Oxford University family Japan: Land of Samurai and 1988 Good for reading aloud. 35 pg. (K-6) Young Discovery Library, Robots NY Japanese Celebrations: Cherry 2006 An illustrated guide to many Japanese celebrations 48 pg. (K-4 Betty Reynolds Tuttle Publishing Blossoms, Lanterns, and Stars! and festivals. Collection) Japanese Children's Favorite 1959 A collection of famous Japanese folktales. 109 pg. (K-4 Compiled by Florence Tuttle Stories Collection) Sakade Books and Curriculum Materials Page 21 Asian Studies Teaching Resource Library Japanese Children's Favorite 2004 Singing turtles, flying farmers, a dragon that cries, 96 pg (k-4) Compiled by Florence Tuttle Stories: Book Two princesses, kings, elves, fairy cranes, magic Sakade; Illustrated by mortars, and rice bags - these are just some of the Yoshio Hayashi magical characters and tools you'll find in this delightful collection of wonderful stories with a Japanese flavor certain to enthrall children the world over. The Japanese settings are appealing to older children yet at the same time the stories are simple enough for younger children. With sparkling illustrations on almost every page and the promise that goodwill and kindness will always carry the day, readers are sure to find much to love in these stories. Ages 4 & Up. Japanese Designs 2002 This ready-to-color collection of 30 full-page 32 pg (K-16+) Green, Y. S. Dover Publications, Inc designs depicts popular motifs in the best Japanese artistic tradition — from highly stylized creatures of the sea and air to lush blossoms and sinister dragons. A delight for colorists of all ages, a versatile source of inspiration and royalty-free art for designers, artists, and craftworkers. Ages 4 & Up. (Amazon.com) Japanese Origami: Paper Magic 1999 Describes some specific origami figures and their 24 pg. (K-4 Ann Stalcup PowerKids Press significance in Japanese culture. Includes Collection) dicrections for creating an origami ornament. Kamishibai Man (2 copies) 2005 Great story explaining kamishibai story telling 32 pg. (K-5) Allen Say Houghton Mifflin Company Kenta: My Life in Japan 1990 Introducing a young boy’s home, school and daily 17 pg. (K-5) Yuko Yamato International Society for activities. Educational Information Kintaro, the Nature Boy 1995 A famous classic story. In both English and 47 pg. (K-5) Illustrated by Suiho Yonai. Kodansha International Japanese. Retold by Ralph F. McCarthy Kirigami Greeting Cards 2005 Greeting cards of all kinds—window, pop-up, and 80 pg. (1-16+) McCabe Children's Press fold-out—are beautiful and easy to make using this book of kirigami, the Japanese art of paper cutting and folding. Step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations start with simple designs that get increasingly complex, providing creative crafters of any level with inspired card ideas. Ages 7 & Up. (Amazon.com) Books and Curriculum Materials Page 22 Asian Studies Teaching Resource Library Kirigami Menagerie 2009 In origami, a flat piece of paper is folded to create a 128 pg (2-16+) Sterling Publsihing Co. dimensional object. Similarly, in traditional Japanese kirigami, paper is folded, cut, and unfolded to reveal complex patterns—like a paper snowflake. Here, author Hiroshi Hayakawa has ingeniously combined these two techniques to create a charming menagerie of 38 animals, from flocks of sheep and swirling dragons to stampeding ostriches and pandas in a bamboo grove. Full-size templates are provided to photocopy onto the card stock of your choice. And for added whimsy, readers can download a fence pattern or textured patterns at www.larkbooks.com. Each project is introduced with a humorous limerick and supported by colorful, modern photography. (Amazon.com) Kogi's Mysterious Journey 2003 Kogi longs to capture the spirit of nature in his art, 32 pg. (K-4 Elizabeth Partridge but his paintings are always lifeless and dull-until Collection) one supernatural morning when he wades into the cool, deep, shimmering water and becomes a golden fish. There he learns firsthand the freedom within the silence that pulsates in all of life. Let's Learn Japanese Picture 1994 Imaginative, colorful, great learning tool. 32 pg.