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Let's Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone
Accessible introduction to Japanese language and culture
Perfect book for aspiring Japanese speakers young and old: Artfully illustrated and easy to follow, Let's Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone is an ideal travel primer and companion for aspiring Japanese speakers, as well as a welcome addition to the bookshelves of language lovers of any age. Pairing words and characters with whimsical illustrations, each section features examples of word pronunciation, the three main Japanese writing systems (kanji, hiragana and katakana), and common Japanese elements.
Instructive and engaging book families can use together.
Great gift for travelers of any age heading to Japan.
Aurora Cacciapuoti is an author and illustrator of more than a dozen children's books.
For children and adults who are beginning to speak Japanese, Let's Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone is a great place to start and learn basic words and concepts.
Handy Japanese language collection pairs words and characters with whimsical illustrations.
Accessible and educational Japanese language primer
Easy to carry travel companion language book
Books for kids ages 4-8
Perfect book for aspiring Japanese speakers young and old: Artfully illustrated and easy to follow, Let's Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone is an ideal travel primer and companion for aspiring Japanese speakers, as well as a welcome addition to the bookshelves of language lovers of any age. Pairing words and characters with whimsical illustrations, each section features examples of word pronunciation, the three main Japanese writing systems (kanji, hiragana and katakana), and common Japanese elements.
Instructive and engaging book families can use together.
Great gift for travelers of any age heading to Japan.
Aurora Cacciapuoti is an author and illustrator of more than a dozen children's books.
For children and adults who are beginning to speak Japanese, Let's Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone is a great place to start and learn basic words and concepts.
Handy Japanese language collection pairs words and characters with whimsical illustrations.
Accessible and educational Japanese language primer
Easy to carry travel companion language book
Books for kids ages 4-8
48 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2019
25 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 1, 2023
Odmalička ma fascinovala japončina a vždy som sa chcela naučiť tento jazyk. Tento obrázkový slovník je naozaj ideálny pre začiatočníkov a je vhodný nie je len pre deti ale i dospelých. Knižka je rozdelená na rôzne sekcie - naučíte sa pomenovať zvieratká, ovocie a zeleninu a naučíte sa základné slová vhodné na cestovanie.
Viete ako sa volajú tradičné japonské kúpele?
Sento! 🫧 áno, aj takéto slovo sa môžete naučiť keď siahnete po tomto slovníku 😁🫧
Viete ako sa volajú tradičné japonské kúpele?
Sento! 🫧 áno, aj takéto slovo sa môžete naučiť keď siahnete po tomto slovníku 😁🫧
February 22, 2019
There are several things I like about this introduction to the Japanese language for kids.
The first thing is the 4 page introduction to written Japanese, which explains the three different ways that Japanese is written down: hiragana, katakana (when used together, they are called "kana"), and kanji. Although kiddos will want to gloss over this section, it's in their best interest to stop them and read through this with them. This will allow them to better appreciate and understand the second part of the book -- the Richard Scarry-like catalog of like items, grouped together into categories and labeled in J with its name in English, kana, kanji, and a romanized transliteration called "romaji". Things like animals, food and drink, colors, numbers, school, home and gardens are included. The shading of colors used and the art style give this book a very European feel, although the color combinations of greens, yellows, and oranges might be commonly found in Japanese art and culture. This would be good to use as a tool by grades 2-4 when studying cultures from around their world.
I find this book problematic in that all of the people and animals depicted in the book have big "round eyes", even the man and woman wearing kimonos and standing under the fireworks and Japanese lanterns (on the travel page). On the "occupations" page, everyone appears to have a nearly identical color of pink face and the same eye shape and blue color, while on the "family" page, there is some shading of gray that can be seen in skin tones and eyes are either an oval or round shape and dark blue color. I note that the grandfather and grandmother appear different and could possibly be from India (though this is never spelled out). I do not see a single Asian face in this book, much less one I would describe as Japanese. Japanese people do not all have to have stereotypical eyes; there are many almond eye shapes that can be found. If we are to provide windows and mirrors to other cultures, they need to genuinely reflect that culture -- not insert westerners in it.
While the intent is good, this is merely average in execution.
For
The first thing is the 4 page introduction to written Japanese, which explains the three different ways that Japanese is written down: hiragana, katakana (when used together, they are called "kana"), and kanji. Although kiddos will want to gloss over this section, it's in their best interest to stop them and read through this with them. This will allow them to better appreciate and understand the second part of the book -- the Richard Scarry-like catalog of like items, grouped together into categories and labeled in J with its name in English, kana, kanji, and a romanized transliteration called "romaji". Things like animals, food and drink, colors, numbers, school, home and gardens are included. The shading of colors used and the art style give this book a very European feel, although the color combinations of greens, yellows, and oranges might be commonly found in Japanese art and culture. This would be good to use as a tool by grades 2-4 when studying cultures from around their world.
I find this book problematic in that all of the people and animals depicted in the book have big "round eyes", even the man and woman wearing kimonos and standing under the fireworks and Japanese lanterns (on the travel page). On the "occupations" page, everyone appears to have a nearly identical color of pink face and the same eye shape and blue color, while on the "family" page, there is some shading of gray that can be seen in skin tones and eyes are either an oval or round shape and dark blue color. I note that the grandfather and grandmother appear different and could possibly be from India (though this is never spelled out). I do not see a single Asian face in this book, much less one I would describe as Japanese. Japanese people do not all have to have stereotypical eyes; there are many almond eye shapes that can be found. If we are to provide windows and mirrors to other cultures, they need to genuinely reflect that culture -- not insert westerners in it.
While the intent is good, this is merely average in execution.
For
April 13, 2019
What a cool book this is! Not only could it be useful with young readers learning to speak English and Japanese, but tourists planning to visit Japan might find it helpful in demystifying the Japanese writing system of hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Beginning with animals and concluding with weather and seasons, the book provides small artistic representations of each word next to its English, Kanji and Kana versions as well as romaji as a pronunciation guide to the words. I certainly wish I had been able to study this book before my own trip to Japan many years ago. It's accessible and makes learning the language fun.
October 18, 2025
Bought this when I was self-studying japanese during highschool. Reading a children’s book as an adult felt a little silly, but seriously helped my vocabulary. the drawings are also so cute.
I stopped studying japanese after a year, and it’s been about five years since I stopped. I still can remember how to say the names of fruits and body parts and other random things despite not having put any effort into remembering.
I rediscovered this book recently by taking an edible in my childhood bedroom and rereading it for hours. 10/10 experience would recommend.
I stopped studying japanese after a year, and it’s been about five years since I stopped. I still can remember how to say the names of fruits and body parts and other random things despite not having put any effort into remembering.
I rediscovered this book recently by taking an edible in my childhood bedroom and rereading it for hours. 10/10 experience would recommend.
March 21, 2024
Recommended For All Ages Learning Japanese
This was a fun read.
Essentially, on the surface, it is a children's book with pictures of objects and the Japanese words for them.
But, it is actually a wonderful book for visual learners (like me).
Together with the images and the context, this book is a great way to solidify your Japanese learnings.
I would recommend this, and recommend it for all ages!
Check it out!
4.8/5
This was a fun read.
Essentially, on the surface, it is a children's book with pictures of objects and the Japanese words for them.
But, it is actually a wonderful book for visual learners (like me).
Together with the images and the context, this book is a great way to solidify your Japanese learnings.
I would recommend this, and recommend it for all ages!
Check it out!
4.8/5
July 20, 2025
A decent word book for beginners, with cute illustrations.
A warning to anyone purchasing it in the Kindle version: the formatting puts some words on separate pages from their illustrations, which can cause confusion. For example, the word for the number 6 appears above an illustration of a number 7.
A warning to anyone purchasing it in the Kindle version: the formatting puts some words on separate pages from their illustrations, which can cause confusion. For example, the word for the number 6 appears above an illustration of a number 7.
February 7, 2021
Ideas for picture flash card. Flip through in one sitting.
June 28, 2021
Good illustrations and basics of Kanji
November 30, 2021
Great thematic introduction to the Japanese language for everyone.
January 1, 2022
Easy to follow. Great explanations. Recommend
November 26, 2023
Just a list of vocab, I could find this on google translate. It should state that it’s just for children.
January 4, 2025
This is a great one. The pages are not too cluttered, the words come helpfully with kanji and kana and romaji (for those of us still learning), and the illustrations are pleasant.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews