[For 2-year-olds] Enjoy spring-recommended picture books with your children

HelloText: Shigeo Watanabe / Illustrations: Yasuo Ohtomo

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Here’s an introduction to the picture book “Hello,” recommended for one-year-olds who, by March, are starting to enjoy chatting a little more.

In this book, the main character, a little bear, says “Hello” to everything he encounters.

Because it’s a book about greetings, you’ll find yourself naturally bowing and saying “Hello” as you read it aloud.

Watching the children listen while bowing along with the adults creates such a warm, heartwarming atmosphere.

Please give it a read together!

What did you eat?Text: Eriko Kishida / Illustrations: Hirokazu Nagano

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Here’s an introduction to the picture book What Have You Been Eating?, which has been loved by children ever since its release in 1978.

A pure white little pig is hurrying off somewhere.

Along the way, he finds an apple and eats it, turning his tummy a beautiful red.

Still hungry, the pig encounters all sorts of things as he goes.

How will it all end? It’s a very unique story, and the gentle illustrations and vivid colors make it a book that sparks children’s curiosity.

Please give it a read!

warm and cozyHiroyuki Arai

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The picture book “Pokapoka,” perfect for spring, is wonderfully appealing with its clear illustration style and rhythmic, repeating words.

Just as spring brings grasses, flowers, and insects bustling to life, pay attention to the warm, watchful sun as well.

When reading the book, the key is to read gently, as if speaking to the plants and insects.

In the part that says, “It’s spring—wake up,” you might try adding the names of spring insects or flowers you found on a walk, even if they don’t appear in the book.

Doing so can expand the story and make it feel more familiar and close.

Mr. Cabbage and Mr. ButayamaShinta Cho

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How about this picture book for March, when spring cabbage is at its tastiest? “Cabbage-kun and Mr.

Butayama” is a humor-filled picture book illustrated by Shinta Cho, and it’s hugely popular with children.

It features the funny duo of Cabbage-kun and Mr.

Butayama, who can’t help seeing Cabbage-kun as something to eat.

This time, it’s a thrilling story set on a suspension bridge deep in the mountains.

Despite the tension, the book has an irresistibly funny and heartwarming feel.

Please give it a read!