Japanese Nursery Rhymes

Japanese Nursery Rhymes collects fifteen well-loved verses and presents them in Japanese script, Romanized form, and English in an interlinear format that encourages language learning. Selections in this book include rhymes closely tied to Japanese culture as well as poems about things kids everywhere enjoy. The nursery rhymes are enhanced by language and cultural notes that explain the meaning of certain words, the significance of certain festivals, and other interesting points about the language or culture. Each rhyme is presented on its own vibrantly illustrated spread.

Danielle Wright First began collecting nursery rhymes for her young son in 2005. In 2008 she created the award-winning multilingual book My Village: Rhymes from Around the World. Danielle has taught English to children in Japan and currently runs an at-home writing, public relations and editing business. She lives in New Zealand with her husband, two children and two cats.

Helen Acraman is a New Zealand artist living in Toronto, Canada. Her whimsical graphic works reflect a passion for environmental issues, natural living and the childlike quality that lives in everyone.

Hometown (verse by Tatsuyuki Takano)

The Roly-poly Acorn (verse by Nagayoshi Aoki)

The Village Festival (verse by the Japanese Ministry of Education)

Chorus of the Raccoons (verse by Ujou Noguchi)

Falling Rain (verse by Hakushuu Kitahara)

Little Red Bird (verse by Hakushuu Kitahara)

Bubbles (verse by Ujou Noguchi)

Train (Anonymous)

Come Spring (verse by Gyofuu Souma)

Carp Streamers: (verse by Miyako Kondo)

The Seagull Sailors (verse by Toshiko Takeuchi)

Snow (verse by the Japanese Ministry of Education)

The Rabbits' Dance (verse by Hakushuu Kitahara)

Moon (verse by the Japanese Ministry of Education)

The Cradle Lullaby (verse by Ujou Noguchi)