Jimi's Book of Japanese: A Motivating Method to Learn Japanese (Hiragana) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Yumie Toka (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. This colorful book will appeal to children who want to learn Japanese, particularly those who are studying how to speak the language but want to know how to write it as well. As the introduction states, "Instead of an alphabet Japanese uses kana." Each page features one large figure of a kana, a symbol representing a syllable, with directional arrows showing how to make each stroke. Also on the page is a pronunciation key, a vocabulary word that includes the kana, a description of the word's meaning within the context of Japanese culture, and a few small illustrations. The closing pages feature a chart of the kana and their sounds, a chart of numbers, and a word list with translations. Recurring, cartoonlike characters, including a simply drawn monkey called Jimi, give the pages child appeal, but even older students beginning to learn Japanese may find this well-designed book useful. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Jimi's Book of Japanese" is an excellent introduction to Japanese and a well planned and executed hiragana handbook." -- Daily Yomiuri

"Jimi's Book of Japanese" is an excellent introduction to Japanese and a well planned and executed hiragana handbook." --Daily Yomiuri

...an interactive Japanese language book, [J.B.O.J] features friendly graphics, inviting colors and easy-to-understand instructions for speaking and writing Japanese. -- I.D. Magazine, July/August 2003

...an interactive Japanese language book, [J.B.O.J] features friendly graphics, inviting colors and easy-to-understand instructions for speaking and writing Japanese. --I.D. Magazine

Gr. 3-6. This colorful book will appeal to children who want to learn Japanese, particularly those who are studying how to speak the language but want to know how to write it as well. As the introduction states, "Instead of an alphabet Japanese uses kana." Each page features one large figure of a kana, a symbol representing a syllable, with directional arrows showing how to make each stroke. Also on the page is a pronunciation key, a vocabulary word that includes the kana, a description of the word's meaning within the context of Japanese culture, and a few small illustrations. The closing pages feature a chart of the kana and their sounds, a chart of numbers, and a word list with translations. Recurring, cartoonlike characters, including a simply drawn monkey called Jimi, give the pages child appeal, but even older students beginning to learn Japanese may find this well-designed book useful. Carolyn Phelan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Takahashi & Black; 2nd edition (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972324704
• ISBN-13: 978-0972324700
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,583 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational! Motivational! Spectacular! Two Thumbs Up!, July 21, 2003

By A Customer

Grade 3-6? This book's age range should be from 2 to 100. I am not kidding. This book is made for a kid but intelligent enough for an adult. "Jimi's Book of Japanese" is simply unbelievable.

I wouldn't normally take the time to write a glowing review about a book I purchased on a whim, however, this book is far more than I ever expected.

In fact, this book's unique "Triple Bubble Learning System" is intuitive in its approach and creative in its execution--simply brilliant. This is the only book I've found that includes reading, writing, and pronunciation in a uniform manner--completely intuitive approach that works effectively. This system allowed me as an adult to grasp Japanese kana much more quickly than I normally would.

Just the other day, I showed this book to my Japanese Sensei and even she remarked how "motivating" the books content is. Yes, in this case the marketing spin is really true: "Jimi's Book of Japanese" IS a "Motivating Method to Learn Japanese"

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for the Beginning Japanese Student, June 8, 2006

By	R. Cain (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is for children. If you are just learning Japanese where do you think your skill level is at? Its at the level of a Japanese child learning Hiragana. A lot of Japanese children's books are written in Hiragana so this is where you start.

This book is off the hook as being totally Japanese in illustration. If you know how to pronounce your Japanese vowels then this is book to use to begin learning to read and write. Remember this, with any natural process of language learning you first learn to speak and then to read.

So, if you don't have any experience in speaking Japanese don't start with this book but I do recommend that you go ahead and buy it because you will want it in your "tool kit" eventually.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most inspiring...Two Thumbs Up!, July 17, 2003

By	"jojoba88" (Vancouver, CA) - See all my reviews

Grade 3-6? This book's age range should be from 2 to 100. I am not kidding. This book is made for a kid but intelligent enough for an adult. "Jimi's Book of Japanese" is simply unbelievable.

I wouldn't normally take the time to write a glowing review about a book I purchased on a whim, however, this book is far more than I ever expected.

In fact, this book's unique "Triple Bubble Learning System" is intuitive in its approach and creative in its execution--simply brilliant. This is the only book I've found that includes reading, writing, and pronunciation in a uniformed manner. This allowed me as an adult to grasp Japanese kana much more quickly than I normally would.

Just the other day, I showed this book to my Japanese Sensei and even she remarked how "motivating" the books content is. Yes, in this case the marketing spin is really true: "Jimi's Book of Japanese" IS a "Motivating Method to Learn Japanese"