Culture Talk

Reading picture books to my toddler in Japanese and English: what's worked

My husband is from Ireland and I'm from Osaka, and we're raising our 3-year-old with both languages. Picture books have been the easiest way in, so I thought I'd share what we've found in case anyone else is doing this.

Japanese favourites: Guri and Gura, and anything by Taro Gomi. English ones: The Very Hungry Caterpillar and, of course, The Gruffalo, which she now demands every night and can mostly recite.

What surprised me is how different the books feel. A lot of the Japanese ones are gentle and seasonal, about food and small adventures. The English ones are funnier and a bit more mischievous. She loves both, but for different moods.

Does anyone else read in two languages at home? Any books that exist in both and work well?