![[Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books](https://media.ragnet.co.jp/img/1200__jpg__https://www.studiorag.com/files/2025/01/3cae917e3409e6254d5f10621a2a550d.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 Takega, who has worked on children’s poetry, picture books, retellings, and translations, and has authored many biographies for young readers, and her book “Donguri Tonpororin.” It’s a memorable work featuring onomatopoeia that captures the exact moment a tree drops its acorn.
The story that unfolds from there is also captivating.
Scenes where dialogue expands through the lens of autumn nature are composed of simple, familiar words you often hear in daily life, making them pleasant to the ear.
It’s a wonderful 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.
fluffy fluffy fluffy
Shuntaro Tanikawa, one of Japan’s most renowned poets, has created many enduring works, and I’m sure many of you have read his book Moko Moko Moko.
In this work, the illustrations seem to link with the onomatopoeia, and the bold colors and distinctive movements of the images are striking.
Rather than understanding it as a fixed, linear story, it’s a wonderful piece that sparks the imagination.
The impression also changes depending on the reader’s tone of voice and reading speed, which makes it very engaging.
Enjoy the book together while watching your child’s reactions and expressions, and come to love the work alongside them!
woof woof woof woof
We’d like to introduce Jun Takabatake’s Wan Wan Wan Wan, known for Whose Bicycle Is This?.
As you turn the picture-book pages, different creatures appear one after another and make their sounds.
For children who aren’t yet comfortable reading text, it works well to ask in a quiz style.
It’s a work you can enjoy together as your child grows! By tuning your energy and pacing as the reader, you’ll likely see the child’s feelings and thoughts show on their face.
Precisely because it’s simple, you can get hooked on the delightful world of this picture book.
A Picture Book of Japanese Onomatopoeia
A perfect work to spark the question, “When would you use this onomatopoeia?” Let me introduce Noriko Takano’s Picture Book of Japanese Onomatopoeia.
It’s often hard to explain subtle differences in nuance with words, isn’t it? Even adults can find themselves at a loss for words when a child asks, “What does that mean?” How about getting familiar with onomatopoeia in everyday life through this book? As your range of expression grows, conversations become even more fun!