![[Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books](https://media.ragnet.co.jp/img/1200__png__https://www.studiorag.com/files/2026/04/265a8079c87ff2a122028b9bd05fd879.webp)
[Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books
Have you ever heard the word onomatopoeia?
It refers to words written with rhythmic sound effects like “wan-wan” (woof-woof) or “jaa-jaa” (the sound of rushing water).
When reading picture books aloud, some teachers may feel a bit unsure about how to read these.
The onomatopoeia picture books we’re introducing this time are very easy to read if you imagine the sounds as you go!
For example, when you see “fuwa-fuwa” (fluffy), you wouldn’t read it in a strong, booming voice, would you?
“Fuwa-fuwa” gives a gentle, light impression, so if you read it in a way that shares that image, it will come across clearly.
We’re also introducing many books whose rhythm of language is fun—not just the sounds—so please give them a read!
[Picture Books] Savor the Joy of Words: A Recommended Onomatopoeia Picture Book Collection (1–10)
Clatter clatter, clatter clatter.
A picture book with an adorable little train on the cover! Let me introduce Mizumaru Anzai’s “Gatan Goton Gatan Goton.” This picture book features a train as the main character, with passengers boarding one after another at the cue, “Please let me on!” The passengers are familiar to children—like a baby bottle, a cup, a spoon, and a cat.
Watching familiar things get on the train will draw children into the world of the book.
The rhythm and tempo of the words are delightful, making it a joy to read aloud!
Zaa zaa biri biri
Let’s enjoy onomatopoeia from everyday life! We’re introducing Noriko Matsui’s “Jaa Jaa Biri Biri.” The picture book features many familiar things from a child’s daily life and is packed with onomatopoeic words you can use even after finishing the book.
It’s a work that lets children feel the fun of hearing the sounds of the book’s world link with the sounds of their own lives.
The illustrations are simple and easy to understand, and the colors are bold, which will capture children’s interest.
By all means, enjoy reading it together with your child.
Sushin
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish made by combining rice and toppings.
Here’s a picture book where sushi takes center stage! Let me introduce Hikari Tanaka’s “Sushin.” Many children probably love sushi.
However, the sushi that appears in this book is different from the sushi you usually see—it’s packed with humor.
This work has a surreal quality, with laughter that creeps up on you, and once you start imagining it in your head, you just can’t stop! You’ll find yourself hooked, wanting to read it again and again.
Soso-so.
Look for the adorable cover with koalas snugly cuddling together! We’re introducing Hikaru Tanaka’s “Sososososo.” The sound of the word “sososososo” itself piques your curiosity, doesn’t it? The world is simple yet surreal, but the charm lies in the koalas’ cuteness and humor—so much so that your hands might tremble as you turn the pages.
If you read it with a sense of rhythm, intonation, and pauses, it will resonate even more with children.
Composed of onomatopoeia, it’s a wonderful work you can purely enjoy without overthinking anything!
Acorn ton-pororin
We’d like to introduce Etsuko Takeshika’s Donguri Tonpororin.
Takeshika has worked on children’s poetry, picture books, retellings, and translations, and has written many biographies for children.
This work is striking for its onomatopoeia that captures the very moment a tree drops its acorn.
The story that unfolds from there is also captivating.
Scenes where exchanges of words expand through the nature of autumn are composed of simple phrases you often hear in daily life, making them pleasantly familiar to the ear.
It’s a lovely piece that you can read as if you were singing!
Nyu— slooosh, slither slither
We’d like to introduce “Nyuu— Suru Suru Suru” by Shinta Cho, a Japanese manga artist and picture book author known for works like “Cabbage-kun” and “The Talkative Omelet.” Its mysterious worldview becomes even more captivating through children’s imaginations! In this story, a hand that goes “nyuu” appears and pulls all sorts of things into the ground—sure to make kids hold their breath.
It’s a book that lets readers enjoy a thrilling sense of suspense.
It’s also a great idea to ask children what they felt after reading it.
Boing!
Let me introduce Tatsuhide Matsuoka’s “Jump!”.
As you can see from the frog on the cover, it features creatures that are great at jumping—“boing!” Unlike most picture books that turn sideways, this one flips vertically to convey the height of the jumps.
Enjoy reading it with your child while chatting about the different, personality-filled ways each animal jumps! It also makes a perfect lead-in before active play, helping kids picture that lively “boing!” jump.