[For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter

Setsubun Seven

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a picture book about Setsubun, taught by heroes.

Speaking of Setsubun, the classic tradition is driving out ogres while saying, “Demons out! Good fortune in!” It’s an event that can make children’s hearts race, but because it’s part of Japan’s traditional culture, I really want them to experience it.

This picture book carefully explains the origins of Setsubun, so I think children will clearly understand why the event is necessary and what they should do.

And if a hero is by their side, they’ll surely be fine even if an ogre shows up!

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sasashina

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Elephant’s Big Snowy Walk

http://www.amazon.co.jp

With their long noses and necks, elephants and giraffes might be the animals that first capture children’s interest.

The picture book series Elephant’s Walk, starring such an elephant, has been loved for over 50 years, and this is its fifth installment.

It’s a heartwarming thought: mothers who grew up reading Elephant’s Walk now reading this book aloud to their own children.

As always, the cheerful elephant sets off on a stroll, eager to show his friends the heavy snow piled on his back… With its simple, delightful repetition, this is a book you’ll want to read again and again.

Moonlit Night Ice Hockey

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Set in Canada in December, when even the forest ponds freeze over.

Even in the intense cold with days of minus 20 degrees, the boys still find something to enjoy: on nights with a full moon, they play ice hockey on the beaver pond in the frozen forest.

On the way to the pond, they run into mishaps like getting buried in snow, but even that seems to be just another part of a fun adventure.

Someday, not only the ice hockey they enjoyed with friends, but also those adventurous moments will turn into fond memories.

It’s the kind of picture book that makes you hope the children who read it will create wonderful memories of playing their hearts out.

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Nakajima Junko

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Tomin Hotel Gussuri Dozo

http://www.amazon.co.jp

When the severity of the cold increases in winter, some animals go into hibernation, don’t they? This is a story about three rabbits who welcome hibernating animals at Hotel Good-Sleep-Doze deep in the forest.

Sometimes the winter chill is so intense that it’s hard to get by without a heater.

But the animals living in nature seem able to sleep soundly and greet the spring with peace of mind at Hotel Good-Sleep-Doze.

Although it’s a winter tale, the hotel is depicted in a way that conveys warmth.

It’s a unique work that shines a spotlight on hibernation—something humans don’t do.

It may also give children a chance to learn about hibernation through a picture book.

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Nakajima Junko

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Orlando the Cat: The Woolen Trousers

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Sparked by an unexpected mishap, this story lets you feel the bonds of family.

After accidentally getting doused in kerosene, the father cat loses the fur on the lower half of his body.

The mother cat knits him pants from yarn that match his original pattern, and the children cheer up their downcast dad.

Though it’s a tale about cats, the family’s all-out effort to say, “Let’s figure this out,” conveys a touching sense of familial love.

Today’s world often makes it hard for families to spend time together, with dual-income households and other pressures.

Time to read picture books as a family may be limited, but it would be wonderful to use picture books as a chance to think about family together.

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Nakajima Junko

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Ready, set—Hakkēyoī! New Year’s Osechi Basho

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Sumo has tournaments like the Osaka Basho and the Kyushu Basho, but what on earth is an “Osechi Basho”? In this book, the main characters are osechi dishes, all vying for the coveted center spot on the first tier of the jubako—a quirky, fantastical setup.

The contest’s name plays on sumo’s “XX Basho,” turning it into the “Osechi Basho”! As you read, you can chat about things like how to cook black soybeans, why shrimp are included in osechi, and the origins of kobumaki (kelp rolls)—topics that are sure to spark interest.

The art style is poppy, and the expressions on the black beans in particular are a highlight!

Hedgehog-kun’s Snowman

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Here’s the perfect book for a snowy day.

The story goes like this: On a snowy day, a grandmother can’t help worrying about whether the package she ordered will arrive safely.

So little Hedgehog builds a big snowman as a landmark to keep the mail carrier from getting lost, but… It’s the kind of tale that makes you want to keep reading.

The illustrations, painted mainly in soft hues, carry a certain warmth, and the depiction of snow—like little tufts of cotton pressed onto the page—is lovely.

It’s a book that would also make a delightful gift.