Books About Japan

Learn more about Japan and Japanese culture with picture books at the Stillwater Public Library.

Updated April 20, 2026
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My first book of Japanese words : an ABC rhyming book
Brown, Michelle Haney.
Paper Book
My First Book of Japanese Words is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces young children to Japanese language and culture through everyday words. The words profiled in this book are all commonly used in the Japanese language and are both informative and fun...
Tsunami!
Kajikawa, Kimiko.
Paper Book
Ojiisan, the oldest and wealthiest man in the village, doesn't join the others at the rice ceremony. Instead he watches from his balcony. He feels something is coming; something he can't describe. When he sees the monster wave pulling away from the beach, he knows. Tsunami! But the villagers below...
My first book of Japanese words
Kudela, Katy R.
Paper Book
How do you say "hello" in Japanese? Explore the pages of this Japanese/English picture dictionary to learn new words and phrases. Colorful photographs and simple labels make learning Japanese easy.
The boy from the dragon palace : a folktale from Japan
MacDonald, Margaret Read
Paper Book
2012 Storytelling World Award Best Children's Books of the Year 2012, Bank Street College 2011 NYPL 100 Books for Reading and Sharing STARRED REVIEW! "The text is nicely repetitive and includes satisfyingly disgusting nose...
Words to make a friend : a story in Japanese and English
Napoli, Donna Jo
Paper Book
A clever and innovative bilingual English/Japanese picture book about a Japanese girl and an American girl who prove you don't need to speak the same language to understand each other. When a young Japanese girl moves into her new house, she is happy to see a girl her age...
The beckoning cat : based on a Japanese folktale
Nishizuka, Koko.
Paper Book
In this story based on a Japanese folktale, an impoverished boy named Yohei shares his dinner with a cat that appears on his doorstep. When Yohei faces a crisis, the cat remembers his generosity and brings help.
Spain
Markovics, Joyce L.
Paper Book
Striking. Colorful. Vivid. Welcome to Spain! In this bright, exciting book, young readers will travel to this amazing country without ever leaving their homes or classrooms. During their journey, they will learn all about Spain's land, history, cities, food, and art. They'll even learn how to speak...
Wink : the ninja who wanted to be noticed
Phillipps, J. C.
Paper Book
The happiest day of Wink?s life was when he was accepted to the Summer Moon School for Young Ninjas. He is sure that he will be a great ninja. Silence is the fi rst lesson and everyone is very very silent . . . except for Wink. Stealth is the second lesson and everyone is very very stealthy . . ....
The bicycle man
Say, Allen.
Paper Book
The amazing tricks two American soldiers perform on a borrowed bicycle are a fitting finale for the school sports day festivities in a small village in occupied Japan.
Tea with milk
Say, Allen.
Paper Book
At home in San Francisco, May speaks Japanese and the family eats rice and miso soup and drinks green tea. When she visits her friends' homes, she eats fried chicken and spaghetti. May plans someday to go to college and live in an apartment of her own. But when her family moves back to Japan,...
The last kappa of old Japan : a magical journey of two friends
Seki, Sunny
Paper Book
With unique and playful illustrations this multicultural children's book is a classic Japanese fairy tale that young children and parents alike will love. The Last Kappa of Old Japan is a warmly written and beautifully illustrated bilingual Japanese children's book that...
I live in Tokyo
Takabayashi, Mari
Paper Book
Have you ever been to Tokyo, Japan? Far away, in the Pacific Ocean, Tokyo is a busy city of color, activity, celebrations, super gigantic buildings, and much, much more. In this city lives a seven-year-old girl named Mimiko. Here you can follow a year’s worth of fun, food, and festivities...
Magic ramen : the story of Momofuku Ando
Wang, Andrea
Paper Book
World War II was over, but in Japan, lines for a simple bowl of ramen noodles wound down the sidewalk. What Momofuku Ando did next would change food forever. Andrea Wang, author of Watercress (a Newberry honor book and winner of the Caldecott Medal), tells the true story behind the...

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