Hello Kitty, Hello World! [Hardcover]

Higashi/Glaser Design Inc. (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Join Kitty as she says hello to countries around the world. She greets each nation in its native tongue, while wearing traditional costumes. In her travels Kitty visits monuments, samples regional foods and learns other fun facts about the lands she visits.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The popular Hello Kitty is off on a journey around the world in this vocabulary-building book for soon-to-be-well-traveled early readers. As Hello Kitty travels from country to country, she not only changes clothes to fit right in, she also learns how to say "hello" in each new language and identify cultural highlights, foods, and landmarks. In Italy ("Buon giorno Italy!"), Hello Kitty sees a gondola, lots of different kinds of pasta, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, art, and some fancy leather shoes. In Australia ("G'day Australia!") she discovers emus, barbecue, the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmanian devils, Ayers Rock, and the Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race.

Each of 13 nations is represented by a colorful two-page spread, with each tourist destination or cultural artifact clearly labeled with its proper name. Children are free to use their imaginations and ask questions to learn more about Brazil, Kenya, Japan, the USA, and more. A glossary is included, translating words into each country's language, accompanied by a pronunciation guide. Hola Mexico and Namaste India! Hello Kitty fans may want to take this book (complete with four postcards, three luggage tags, and a bookmark) along on their next adventure. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-The "Hello Kitty" character is a registered trademark that adorns a bevy of merchandise ranging from pencils to children's luggage. She appears here as an international tour guide. As the kitten explains in an introductory postcard to "Mama & Papa," she is "off to see the world," globe-trotting across 13 countries. A double-page spread is devoted to each of her stops and all include labeled drawings of highlights from a particular nation. For example, Mexico is represented by pictures of a bull, the Day of the Dead, a burrito, etc., and Hello Kitty takes center stage wearing a sombrero. All labeling is in English, and a concluding "International Guidebook" provides translations and pronunciations. The overly adorable illustrations have a peel-and-stick look to them with lots of bright color but little substance. "Hello Kitty" fans will be attracted to this candy-coated travel guide, more for its featured character than the casually selected bits of information hidden within. However, readers deserve more than what this poorly organized and superficial treatment has to offer. Be aware that two pages of postcards and name tags, perforated for easy removal, are also included.
Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 1ST edition (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810934434
• ISBN-13: 978-0810934436
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Darling Book!, May 19, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Hello Kitty, Hello World! (Hardcover)

When I came across this adorable book in (where else) Bookland, I was immediatly charmed. Being a Hello Kitty fan, I would have been charmed anyway, but even people who have never heard of this too cute feline would delight in this book. In this small pink volume, Hello Kitty travels to many different countries, learning some new vocabulary. Also along the way, Kitty teaches readers to say "hello" in many different languages, such as chinese, french, and japanese. Even though this book is aimed at children ages 4-8, I recommend it to anyone in the mood for a charming and alluring read. Hey, it even comes with four cute postcards, a bookmark, and three Hello Kitty luggage tags. Also, if you like this book, look for other Hello Kitty books. Enjoy!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cat Is Back!, October 2, 2000

By 

ufobooks (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hello Kitty, Hello World! (Hardcover)

I love this little book of happiness. I have been a Hello Kitty fan since I was 8 years old, and this book only confirms that Hello Kitty cares about everyone! From Germany to Mexico she travels along and tells you about her journey. Expect to be dazzled by happy colors, cute drawings, and all Hello Kitty goodness. See Hello Kitty dressed in a African costume, a Kimono, a Dutch costume and more. See foods, bulidings, and landmarks from all over the world. A family treasure (it's hardback so a real keeper) to be passed down to generations of little girls who have or will grow up on Hello Kitty like I did. AWESOME!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Around the World with Hello Kitty!, August 17, 2000

By 

John DiBello (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hello Kitty, Hello World! (Hardcover)

Who *doesn't* love Hello Kitty? Supercute Sanrio cartoon spokeskitten gazes at you with her round black eyes, red bow askew on her left ear, from thousands of Sanrio products ranging from backpacks and stickers to the Hello Kitty toaster (highly recommended) and bathmat (almost too cute to use!) While this isn't Hello Kitty's first foray into the book field, it's certainly the most attractive.

Basically plotless but attractively designed, each colorful two-page spread takes Hello Kitty from country to country, dressing her up in native costume (you've not lived until you've seen Hello Kitty in a Mexican 'Day of the Dead' mask) and showing off various food, animals, objects and places from that country, and a friendly way to say "hello!" in that country's language. My only disappointment? Hello Kitty doesn't visit England (she *lives* there already, if you follow the Sanrio official backstory).

A pronunciation and translation guide in the back helps you through saying what you've seen in the book, and punch-out Hello Kitty postcards, luggage tag and bookmark are a fun extra bonus!

The beauty of this book is its dual appeal: not only will it be fun for very young children to learn about other countries, but the appeal of the character and her wonderfully simple but smile-inspiring design has made Hello Kitty the most popular Japanese import since Godzilla. Whether you enjoy this as a simple kids' book or a giggle-inspiring camp item, you can't deny the gentle and happy appeal of Hello Kitty. And hey, it's easier to display on a shelf than that Hello Kitty vacuum cleaner or the Hello Kitty spatula.