Japan
Over the next several months, we will be updating our Storytime themes on various countries around the world. The 2020 CSLP Reads summer reading theme “Imagine Your Story” will focus on fairy tales and myths from all cultures, so having storytimes on countries can go along with that theme. Of course, focusing on countries is good anytime, as a way to celebrate the wide variety of people in the United States who immigrated from somewhere else. This month, we will celebrate Japan; for a craft project, make these simple Koinobori, which are carp-looking wind socks: www.dltk-kids.com/world/japan/m-koinobori.htm.
Aman, Kimiko. The Fox Wish. Two children leave their jump rope at the park and find a group of foxes playing with it when they return.
Gollub, Matthew. Ten Oni Drummers. In this rhyming counting book, ten Oni (goblins) beat on drums and grow larger to chase away bad dreams.
Gomi, Taro. The Crocodile and the Dentist. Gomi is one of Japan’s preeminent children’s book creators. In this hilarious book, the croc and the dentist are afraid of each other. With repetition that gets the audience to participate at storytime.
Lendroth, Susan. Natsumi! The title character participates in the traditional arts festival in her town.
Miura, Taro. The Big Princess. The King and Queen find a tiny princess in the flower garden and take her in where she grows to a giant size.
Morimoto, Junko. The Two Bullies. Two wrestlers meet face to face but are so intimidated that they won’t fight.
Nakawaki, Hatsue. Wait! Wait! A toddler chases after a butterfly and other things in the garden, repeating the title phrase.
Reibstein, Mark. Wabi Sabi. A cat living in Kyoto learns about the beauty of simplicity.
Wells, Rosemary. Yoko Finds Her Way. Yoko and Mama take a trip to Japan; at the airport Yoko must decipher the signs to find her mother.