My Japan

Yumi, a 7 year-old Japanese girl, takes you on an exciting tour of her home, her school, the public bath, a Tokyo subway station, and a street of shops in the city. She also introduces traditions related to the New Year, Girls Day, Childrens Day, Tanabata (a traditional star festival), Undokai (Sports Day), and Shichi-Go-San (a festival for 3 and 7 year-old girls, and 3 and 5 year-old boys).  First published in France, but created by a writer/illustrator who grew up in Japan, this picture book presents an appealing look at family and school life in her native country, while introducing Japanese forms of writing. Ages 5-9.