This multicultural children's book teaches kids about Japanese customs and culture with a fun story about a little boy. Kobo is a small Japanese boy whose father paints ema, or wishing pictures, for so many customers that he finds no time to paint a single one for his own family--not even for Kobo, who wants one so badly to take to the shrine on Wishing Day. As the customers come and go, Kobo has a chance to observe many types of people and to consider many different kinds of wishes, none of which seems quite right for him. In meeting Kobo and the many other interesting people in this book, the young reader is introduced to a number of the charming manners and customs of rural Japan, as well as to a number of situations that parallel those experienced by children almost everywhere. As the author expresses in her introduction: "In this book there are many pictures of ema. We hope that the wishes shown with them, along with the story of Kobo and his family, will bridge customs and culture through our children's seeing that the children of Japan have the same human feeling of affection, of rivalry, of sadness and joy."

Vol. 2 includes extra number, "Experimental schools in England," Jan. 1926.

SCC library has 1949-cur.

Includes, beginning Sept. 15, 1954 (and on the 15th of each month, Sept.-May) a special section: School library journal, ISSN 0000-0035, (called Junior libraries, 1954-May 1961). Issued also separately.

Japan Through Children's Literature should prove a useful bibliography in public and school libraries for collection building and reader's guidance. Reference Books Bulletin The book is a marvelous resource for teachers who teach Japan to children and young adults. The ALAN Review This bibliography of children's books on Japan is designed to help young Americans acquire a more accurate image and understanding of Japanese culture. The annotations for trade books published from the mid-sixties to the present will help teachers, librarians, and interested parents select appropriate materials from the vast numbers of books available. Each book is evaluated in terms of content and accuracy in portraying Japan and the Japanese culture and people, and a suggested grade level is indicated. Annotations are divided by subject and cross-references are supplied when the book belongs in more than one subject area. A glossary and author and title indexes enhance the accessibility of the information contained in this volume.