Take Me Out to the Yakyu
This story is about a young boy enjoying a trip to baseball games with his two grandfathers - one in Japan and one in America. Each step on the way to the game is told from the perspective countries on facing sides of the pages, with several key Japanese words shared in both the text and illustrations. Children will take interest in the experiences that are similar and those that are different from the arrival at the ball park to the last inning of the game and the ride back home to bed. Lists of English and Japanese baseball terms are at the back of the book, along with additional information about baseball from both countries.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Before reading, ask children to share their experiences with baseball. Encourage children to discuss the cultural and language similarities and differences that they notice about Japanese and American culture as demonstrated on each page spread. Support children when they mention that in both cultures the children are loved and cared for. Children will have fun saying the English and Japanese baseball words. Encourage children to learn both sets of words.
Explain to families that when reading this book together, children can be guided in how to look for what is the same about cultural aspects of each country and what is different. They can take turns with the child in reading or talking about one of the countries on each page spread. Encourage family members to talk about their countries of origin and cultural differences and similarities in sports or other activities where appropriate. Young children typically learn languages easily so encourage your child to say and learn the featured words.