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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The crane wife
Bodkin, Odds.
Paper Book
When Osamu, a lonely sail maker, nurses an injured crane one blustery night, he never suspects that this simple act of kindness will change his life forever. Weeks later a mysterious woman arrives on his doorstep, seeking shelter from a storm. Osamu again offers his help, and soon the sail...
My first book of Japanese words : an ABC rhyming book of Japanese language and culture
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...
I am Tama, lucky cat : a Japanese legend
Henrichs, Wendy.
Paper Book
Under the shadow of the white-capped mountains of Japan, a kind and gentle monk takes in a white cat with unusual markings and names him Tama, Lucky Cat. Tama watches as his new master teaches Buddha?s ways to poor farmers, caring for their welfare while ignoring his own empty stomach. Tama...
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...
Three samurai cats : a story from Japan
Kimmel, Eric A.
Paper Book
After a rat takes over his castle, a canine old lord knows there is only one way to get rid of such a bully. He needs a samurai fast-a samurai cat! A fierce samurai arrives and draws his sword, ready to vanquish the upstart rodent. He charges toward the venomous vermin... Splat! ...
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...
The hungriest boy in the world
Namioka, Lensey.
Paper Book
A humorous Japanese tale about a little boy with a huge appetite.After swallowing the Hunger Monster, Jiro begins eating everything in sight, until his family finds a way to lure the monster out of Jiro's stomach.
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.
The tale of the mandarin ducks
Paterson, Katherine.
Paper Book
A pair of mandarin ducks, separated by a cruel lord who wishes to possess the drake for his colorful beauty, reward a compassionate couple who risk their lives to reunite the ducks.
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...
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...
Japanese and English nursery rhymes : carp streamers, falling rain and other favorite songs and rhymes
Wright, Danielle.
Paper Book
**2012 Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year Award Winner!** A delightful collection of fifteen well-loved rhymes, Japanese Nursery Rhymes is the perfect introduction to Japanese language and culture for young readers. What better way to learn...
Eliza's cherry trees : Japan's gift to America
Zimmerman, Andrea Griffing.
Paper Book
Pioneering world traveler, writer, photographer, and peace advocate Eliza Scidmore dreamed of beautifying the nation's capital, where she lived. Her dream became a reality in 1912 when, because of her years of persistence, cherry trees were planted across Washington, DC. This picture book for young...

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