Kirjahaku

One kokeshi, two kokeshi, three kokeshi, four….Anna is a Japanese-American girl whose grandparents live in Japan. They have been sending her adorable Kokeshi dolls made of painted wood each year for her birthday since she was very small. The dolls, like people, are all different— and beautiful!In this charming children's book by award-winning author Tracy Gallup, we watch Anna grow up as her Kokeshi collection grows bigger, and we see how these dolls bring Anna and her grandparents closer together as the years pass.Part counting book, part visual narrative, this beautifully-illustrated bilingual picture book shows how simple objects can serve as a bridge between people and cultures on opposite sides of the globe. It also introduces these beautiful dolls and the ways in which they are formed and painted.The story is in Japanese and English, with a free audio recording available online.A note at the end gently explains the history of Kokeshi dolls and why they are made the way they are.

One kokeshi, two kokeshi, three kokeshi, four….Anna is a Japanese-American girl whose grandparents live in Japan. They have been sending her adorable Kokeshi dolls made of painted wood each year for her birthday since she was very small. The dolls, like people, are all different— and beautiful!In this charming children's book by award-winning author Tracy Gallup, we watch Anna grow up as her Kokeshi collection grows bigger, and we see how these dolls bring Anna and her grandparents closer together as the years pass.Part counting book, part visual narrative, this beautifully-illustrated bilingual picture book shows how simple objects can serve as a bridge between people and cultures on opposite sides of the globe. It also introduces these beautiful dolls and the ways in which they are formed and painted.The story is in Japanese and English, with a free audio recording available online.A note at the end gently explains the history of Kokeshi dolls and why they are made the way they are.

Follow two children on a gentle journey as they receive notes and messages from their mother, discovering the beauty and wisdom of Zen along the way.Change is in the air.Oak leaves are gently falling like hands waving. Hello trees.You will soon have a change of outfit, with lacy, delicate branches reaching for the sky.My First Book of Zen is an invitation for young minds to explore the gentle teachings of Zen philosophy. Through a day in the life of two children, young readers encounter messages of presence, kindness, and connection to the world around them.Each of the nine moments encourages curiosity and reflection, helping children develop an appreciation for nature's beauty and the peace found in still moments. Enchanting watercolor illustrations by award-winning artist Tracy Gallup paint the soft moods of Zen and capture a sense of inner calm. Each image is paired with a thoughtful message and a quote from an inspirational thinker—like the haiku master Issa, Zen philosophers D.T. Suzuki and Alan Watts, or the Dalai Lama—offering a quiet space for reflection.A perfect book for bedtime and fostering moments of calm, My First Book of Zen sows the seeds of inner harmony, compassion, gratitude, and a lasting love for the natural world.