Take Me Out to the Yakyu

Do you know a child who loves baseball? If so, Take Me Out to the Yakyu is the perfect picture book! In this colorfully illustrated book, a young boy tells you all about how he enjoys going to the ballgame in both America and Japan.

In this baseball adventure, children learn that the word "yakyu" is the Japanese word for baseball. Children also learn the similarities and differences that exist in baseball in America and Japan. For example, in America, before the game, people buy hot dogs and peanuts; in Japan they buy soba noodles and edamame (soy beans).

Another similar custom is how in Japan during the 7th inning, the Japanese sing a team's anthem, similar to how we sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" here in America during the 7th inning.

The best part of the book is how it teaches children Japanese words for pitcher, fast ball, and even words for family members, and it includes a glossary in the back for the Japanese words used in the book.

If you want to teach a child about Japanese culture, Take Me Out to the Yakyu is a great introduction.

Take Me Out to the Yakyu

Written & Illustrated by: Aaron Meshon

Date Published: 2013

Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars!

I love the cherry blossoms that bloom every year in Washington, D.C. - and so does the rest of America! That's why I am reviewing the picture book Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars!, a great picture that tells of many Japanese traditions, including one that celebrates the blooming of cherry blossom trees.

Some of the many celebrations described in the book include a doll festival, Children's Day, the Star Festival, Greenery Day, cherry blossom viewing parties, and more. The book not only tells what the celebrations are, but gives both the English and Japanese names for each celebration, and provides a helpful glossary in the back of the book as a reference. For example, the Japanese word for "cherry blossom" is "sakura." The Japanese word for the cherry blossom viewing parties held to celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossom trees is "Hanami."

Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars! also educates children on typical phrases such as thank-you, which is  "domo arigato" in Japanese. Children will learn not only about the celebrations, but the foods that are eaten during these celebrations, the arts and crafts made during celebrations and words and letters of the Japanese language.

If you seek a great book that educates children on the aspects of Japanese culture, Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars! is a great choice!

DID YOU KNOW?

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. There are many ways to celebrate and  Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars! is a great source for picking a suitable celebration!

Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars!

Author & Illustrator: Betty Reynolds

About BookBuzz4Kids.com

BookBuzz4Kids.com reviews books that celebrate diversity and culturally educate young children ages 1-10. Our mission is to celebrate children’s books that promote education, diversity and fun, and to give parents of all cultural, religious and racial backgrounds a source where they can find children's books that represent them and their children.