Title: Grandpa Kuma

Written and Illustrated by: Michelle Maiden

Published by: Wacky Bee Books

A lovely multi-lingual picture book about a young girl meeting her Japanese Grandpa for the first time since she was a baby. Despite the fact they do not speak each other’s language they play happily together for hours every day during his visit.

Grandpa Kuma is portrayed as a bear throughout the book as Kuma is Japanese for bear and he looked cuddly in his photo. I particularly like how Grandpa Kuma’s words are written in both Japanese and also has the Japanese pronunciation. There is also an English translation at the back of the book to satisfy curious minds.

By the end of the story the little girl has learnt how to say ‘bird in Japanese and was able to use the word in conversation, even teaching it to her friend. There is also scope for readers to learn to speak a few Japanese words using the text, illustrations and translation glossary at the back of the picture book, which is a fantastic educational device for learning a new language in a fun way.

A very satisfying story with a lovely premise. I would like to see more bilingual picture books like this.