Pronunciation Guide
In Japanese:
a always sounds like it does in the word “father.”
e always sounds like it does in the word “met.”
i always makes an ee sound, like the word “seed.”
o always sounds like it does in the word “post.”
u always sounds like it does in the word “blue.”
Most of the consonants sound the way they do in the English language, but there are a few things to remember:
The letter g always sounds like it does in the word “good.”
The f sound is softer in Japanese than it is in English. When making an f sound, don’t let your teeth touch your bottom lip; just blow.
Japanese doesn’t have an l, v, q or x sound.
For Gavin, Henry and Georgie, with love–Danielle Wright To JR for artistic enlightenment–Helen Acraman
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Copyright © 2011 by Danielle Wright
Illustrations © 2011 by Helen Acraman
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
ISBN 978-1-4629-1373-2
(Previously published as under ISBN 978-4-8053-1188-2, CIP Data No. 2011022776)
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Japanese
and English
Nursery Rhymes
Carp Streamers, Falling Rain
and Other Favorite Songs and Rhymes
DANIELLE WRIGHT
illustrated by
HELEN ACRAMAN
Contents
My Hometown by Tatsuyuki Takano
The Roly-poly Acorn by Nagayoshi Aoki
The Village Festival by Japan’s Ministry of Education
Chorus of the Raccoons by Ujou Noguchi
Falling Rain by Hakushuu Kitahara
The Little Red Bird by Hakushuu Kitahara
Carp Streamers by Miyako Kondo
The Seagull Sailors by Toshiko Takeuchi
Snow by Japan’s Ministry of Education
The Rabbit Dance by Ujou Noguchi
The Moon by Japan’s Ministry of Education
The Cradle Lullaby by Hakushuu Kitahara