Japanese Children’s Books: JBBY’s recommendation

We provide information about recent Japanese books recommended by a JBBY selection and review team in several categories: picture books, chapter books and novels, and nonfiction.
The titles in Japanese Children’s Books were selected after rigorous consultation and consideration by experts who have been involved in children’s literature for many years. The books had to:

  • contain fine content representative of Japan
  • enable children to explore Japanese cultures and the real lives of children in Japan
  • be worthy of translation overseas
  • be worthy of further introduction to children, caregivers, libraries, and publishing professionals in Japan as well

Online database of selected books

▼ Annual catalogue

2025


2024

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, NOGAMI Akira, OKUYAMA Megumi, SAKAGUCHI Mikako, SAKUMA Yumiko, SASAOKA Tomoko, SHIOZAKI Junko
cover: TAJIMA Yukihiko
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PDF of small leaflet ▶


2023

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, NOGAMI Akira, OKUYAMA Megumi, SAKAGUCHI Mikako, SAKUMA Yumiko, SASAOKA Tomoko, SHIOZAKI Junko
cover: SHIOTANI Mamiko
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2022

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, FUKUMOTO Yumiko, NOGAMI Akira, OKUYAMA Megumi, SAKAGUCHI Mikako, SAKUMA Yumiko, SHIOZAKI Junko
cover: ARAI Ryoji
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2021

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, NOGAMI Akira, HIROMATSU Yukiko, SAKAGUCHI Mikako, SAKUMA Yumiko
cover: TAMURA Shigeru
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2020

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, HIROMATSU Yukiko, NOGAMI Akira, SAKUMA Yumiko, SHIOZAKI Junko
cover: KIKUCHI Chiki
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2019

JCB2019

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, HIROMATSU Yukiko, NOGAMI Akira, SAKUMA Yumiko, SHIROTA Tomoko
cover: SUZUKI Koji
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2018

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, HIROMATSU Yukiko, NOGAMI Akira, SAKUMA Yumiko, SHIROTA Tomoko
cover: ARAI Maki
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2017

selection and review:
DOI Yasuko, HIROMATSU Yukiko, MIYAKAWA Takeo, NOGAMI Akira, SAKUMA Yumiko
cover: TASHIMA Seizo
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