Tokyo Friends: Tokyo No Tomodachi

By Betty Reynolds

Book Overview

This multicultural children's book is a kid-friendly introduction to Japanese culture Katie is a young American girl living in present-day Tokyo. One day, as she walks her dog, she meets Keiko, a young Japanese girl, and her brother Kenji. Join Katie, Keiko and Kenji as they explore the city and its surroundings as they learn about cultural diversity and the customs of their respective countries. Whether eating soba (buckwheat noodles) or spaghetti, studying kana (the alphabet), or dancing at the O-bon festival, the friends discover just how much their two cultures differ--and how much they are alike. Vibrantly illustrated by the author, Tokyo Friends is a wonderful Japanese children's book that introduces young readers to Japanese traditions and customs and also serves well as a valuable beginner's guide to the Japanese language.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4805310758
• ISBN13: 9784805310755
• Release Date: November 2012
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.1" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

Sakura

I am a nanny for an almost three-year old. I was looking for material to use to celebrate the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival and enrich him with knowledge of another culture. This book was great. It compares facets of American and Japanese culture. I was able to pull out things that were relevant for him at is age and it will be a book that can grow with him.

Great Book

I am a Japanese Chinese American. (Yes, we speak all three languages at home.) I like this book because (1) it introduces people to Japanese traditions, customs, and the simple Japanese language (by English-Japanese glosses.)(2) the drawings are excellent. They catch young readers' attention.My mother, who is 100% Japanese, finds that some of the traditions and customs described in this book are in greater details. She says she doesn't even know some of the information listed. She still finds the book interesting, although she wouldn't recommand it to beginner readers (whom she recommands to get "1st Thousand Words Japanese" and "Let's Learn Japanese Picture Dictionary")

Great Children's book

I am not related to the author and I love this book. I am an expat living in Tokyo and have bought several copies as gifts for my children's friends back home in the States. It gives a nice comparision of typical American living and Japanese living through the eyes of childhood friends. It is a great way to show that although there are cultural difference, we are all friends. The illustrations are wonderful giving both the Japanese and English words for the items in the pictures. Simplistic, but cute.

Cute, funny, & beautifully illustrated!!

My name is Jenifer Reynolds, and first, I'll admit that I am the author's niece. Actually, the redheaded Katie character is based on me as a child! This book is an EXCELLENT children's guide to Japanese culture...I know because I was there myself! This is a definite must-have for any young child who is either visiting or learning about Japan. The book is gorgeously illustrated w/ watercolour by my aunt, and is humourously written.