Jimi's Book of Japanese: A Motivating Method to Learn Japanese (Hiragana)
Gr. 3-6. This colorful book will appeal to children who want to learn Japanese, particularly those who are studying how to speak the language but want to know how to write it as well. As the introduction states, "Instead of an alphabet Japanese useskana." Each page features one large figure of akana, a symbol representing a syllable, with directional arrows showing how to make each stroke. Also on the page is a pronunciation key, a vocabulary word that includes thekana,a description of the word's meaning within the context of Japanese culture, and a few small illustrations. The closing pages feature a chart of thekanaand their sounds, a chart of numbers, and a word list with translations. Recurring, cartoonlike characters, including a simply drawn monkey called Jimi, give the pages child appeal, but even older students beginning to learn Japanese may find this well-designed book useful.Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved