[For Elementary School Students] Find the perfect book for March! A collection of picture book ideas that touch the heart

Issun-bōshiBy: Ishii Momoko

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A story about Issun-boshi, who stands about three centimeters tall.

Although small, he also shows a brave side, protecting the princess by fighting ogres.

It may be a book you’ve read at least once before entering elementary school—at a nursery school, kindergarten, or at home.

Despite his small body, he never thinks about it pessimistically.

From the story, you can see how he keeps hope and carves out his own future.

Also, in the scene where he is about to be eaten by an ogre, he uses his small size to defeat it.

By turning the shortcoming of being small into individuality and ability, it becomes a power to change even the worst situations.

We’d like children to feel, through Issun-boshi, the importance of making the most of their own individuality.

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Nakajima Junko

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A lot of doorsBy: Alison McGhee

http://www.amazon.co.jp

In life, there are moments when we must choose doors that lead to different futures.

This picture book portrays the “many doors” children encounter as they grow.

When a door opens, a new world unfolds, where new friends and new experiences await.

Sometimes, there may be doors that require courage.

But taking that first step shows us unseen landscapes and joyful moments.

With every page turn, the anticipation and hope of opening a new door expand, nurturing a positive outlook toward the future.

It’s a picture book that gently supports children welcoming a new season, giving them a quiet nudge to take that brave first step.

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mutō

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Dwarfs of the ForestBy Elsa Beskow

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A work by Elsa Beskow, a picture-book author who represents Sweden.

In the book, the wintertime lives of the gnomes who live in the forest are depicted.

The approach is very unique: on every spread, the text is on the left and the right side consists only of an illustration.

Thanks to this, the right-hand pages let you immerse yourself in the gnomes’ richly textured world without thinking about anything else.

Another highlight is how their way of life is portrayed both realistically and with plenty of humor.

There’s no doubt it will spark your imagination when you read it.

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March, the Month of DollsBy: Momoko Ishii

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Depicting the bond between parent and child, “Sangatsu Hinano Tsuki” has been loved across generations since its publication in 1963.

The book portrays a postwar single-mother household: a mother who loves her child, and a daughter who begs for a set of Hina dolls.

Why won’t the mother buy the Hina dolls? That question becomes the story’s central theme.

Because it is set in the postwar period, another appeal of this work is the glimpse it offers into the lifestyle and values of the time.

As you read, also pay attention to how the feelings of the two characters change.

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yamamoto

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Piglet dandelion pocket dragonflyBy Noboru Baba

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Kids sometimes play shiritori when they have a spare moment.

Shiritori isn’t a complicated game, and people of all ages can enjoy it.

Now, that shiritori has become a picture book.

Piglets, tanuki pups, fox kits, and kittens romp freely in nature.

Their cheerful play is turned into a round of shiritori.

Since the shiritori follows scenes of young animals at play, children will likely read on with interest.

The warm, gentle illustrations by Noboru Baba—famous for the “11 Piki no Neko” series—are another charm of this picture book.

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Nakajima Junko

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A Record of PlantsPhoto/Text: Hani Saho

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Plants show us many different appearances throughout the year.

They sprout from seeds, sway their leaves as they bloom, and bear fruit.

Moreover, depending on weather conditions—sunny days, rainy days, or snowy days—the way plants look can change dramatically.

Let’s explore such plant growth with children, accompanied by beautiful photographs.

As a new chapter of life begins in March, some children may see themselves reflected in the springtime buds and the flowers in full bloom.

The book is organized by the twelve months of the year.

Besides March, you can enjoy the plants of each season as they arrive.

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Nakajima Junko

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Mary and the SheepText/Illustrations by Françoise

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Spending time thinking about things like “Wouldn’t it be nice if this happened?” is fun, isn’t it? Surely Ma-chan, who imagined a baby sheep being born and selling its wool, enjoyed thinking about it too.

One lamb born, or two—imagining the lambs that might be born.

The mother sheep who will have the lambs is adorably named Patapon.

The back-and-forth between Marie-chan and the sheep Patapon, whom they dote on, is amusing as well.

In reality, how many lambs were born? With its unexpected ending, this is a story that lets children feel a sense of empathy.

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Nakajima Junko

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