Walt K. Moon

Part of the Let’s Explore Countries series by Bumba Books that introduces young readers to the foods, landforms, and animals of countries around the world.

This entry provides brief and very limited information about Japan that borders on a detrimental oversimplification of the country and its people. Statements such as “People from around the world visit Japan. They climb mountains. They shop for electronics in cities” to “Many Japanese people eat sushi” only serve to reinforce stereotypes about Japan and offer nothing factual to the reader. Questions that are meant to foster critical thinking – What else might people buy in cities? and Why do you think Japanese people eat lots of sushi? are neither insightful nor likely to foster curiosity about Japan. And despite featuring a pagoda on the cover and an image of temple gates on almost every page, there is no mention of religion, culture, or anything substantial regarding life in Japan. Instead, the reader gets monkeys, cherry trees, electronics, sushi, and baseball. Not recommended – kids (and Japan) need and deserve better.… (meer)