Bamboo Hats and a Rice Cake

By Ann Tompert
Illustrated by Demi

Not only is the story, adapted from Japanese folklore, unusual reading, but the addition of Japanese characters (used along with key nouns) together with Japanese style art and bookmaking make this book a great learning experience. I am reminded of a childhood favorite of mine, The Five Chinese Brothers. Thinking back, this book stands out because of the strange (from my childhood point of view) culture I was introduced to. Although I never made the connection before, I have become an avid Sinophile reading many books about China and traveling there in 1991 and 2004. Books like this one, Uncle Nacho's Hat, and others provide children great early insight into the world outside of their direct experience.