My First Book of Japanese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book of Japanese Language and Culture (My First Words)

My First Book of Japanese Words is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces young children to Japanese language and culture through everyday words.

The words profiled in this book are all commonly used in the Japanese language and are both informative and fun for English-speaking children to learn. The goals of My First Book of Japanese Words are multiple: to familiarize children with the sounds and structure of Japanese speech, to introduce core elements of Japanese culture, to illustrate the ways in which languages differ in their treatment of everyday sounds and to show how, through cultural importation, a single word can be shared between languages.

Both teachers and parents will welcome the book's cultural and linguistic notes and appreciate how the book is organized in a familiar ABC structure. Each word is presented in Kanji (when applicable), Kana, and Romanized form (Romaji).

With the help of this book, we hope more children (and adults) will soon be a part of the 125 million people worldwide that speak Japanese!

"It's a fun way to learn a handful of basic Japanese words, and perhaps inspire an interest in learning more." --The Children's Book Review

"I've always had an interest in learning about people and cultures, so I've collected an assortment of "My First Word" books in a variety of languages. This Japanese word book is one of the best I've seen. At first glance, the choice of going through the English alphabet to present words in Japanese seems odd, but really it's brilliant. It gives young children a familiar setting whiles introducing them to something completely new and different." --Randy-Lynn Wach, City Book Review

"This is a lovely picture book in ENGLISH but with Japanese words for each letter…There is also interesting tidbits of information about the Japanese culture that kids would enjoy." --PragmaticMom.com blog

"This has a nice introduction to the sounds of the Japanese language. An A-Z book of Japanese words with hiragana and/or katakana, the Kanji and a short little rhyme in English. It teaches small things about Japanese culture in a very natural way. As well, there are gorgeous illustrations that let children jump right into what life in Japan might be like for a child." --CatherineAmi.com blog

"…a perfect introduction to studying Japan. It gives you an overview of things that are the same and different with our cultures and introduces the language at the same time." --CraftyMomsShare.com blog

"As the reader is introduced to aspects of Japanese culture on a journey from A to Z, a window is opened not only into a different culture but a wider, more varied world of language and civilization…When you factor in the detailed pronunciation guide (and the explanation of the letters in English that are missing from the Japanese alphabet), you have a marvelous introduction that really sets the reader up to want to know more about the language. That's a rare gift." --Manhattan Book Review

"Such a sweet book that introduces a kid-friendly Japanese word for every letter of the alphabet, in rhyming prose. The painted illustrations are colorful and whimsical that keep the kids interested." --Kid World Citizen blog

"My First Book of Japanese Words really captured nine-year-old Emma's attention. My academically-inclined daughter loved the detailed pronunciation guide, and the cute illustrations definitely helped! This book has a Japanese word for every letter of the alphabet. All four of my kids (aged 3, 6, 7, and 9 years old) love the illustrations and text in this ABC rhyming book!" --Mama Smiles blog

Michelle Haney Brown thrives on awakening preschool through adult students to the wonders of Japan's language and culture. She also teaches cross-cultural navigation to individuals and to groups in organizations such as NASA. She and her family live in Austin, TX.

Aya Padron is a freelance artist who works in many media, among them painting and photography. She is the illustrator of My First Book of Korean Words and My First Book of Chinese Words. She and her husband live in Austin, TX.