I was drawn to "A to Zen: A Book of Japanese Culture" as I saw the typical front cover page of the hardback book state in large letters "This book begins on the other side". As I began to read I discovered the in-depth approach the book had chosen to explain and display Japanese culture and lifestyles. "A to Zen" also includes the Japanese alphabet, and with each letter, explains that letter's piece of Japanese related culture, geography, or history with readers. I enjoyed how the book also read right to left as they do in Japan and also included a brief but detailed explanation of Japanese traditions and values. This explanation, which was located in the front of the story, gave readers some necessary background knowledge and further appreciation. The author, Ruth Wells, hooked readers from the very first sentence as Wells' wrote, "Image that you know every move your opponent is going to make." The story of A to Zen contained multiple important aspects of Japanese life to inform readers in an easy to understand, A to Z process. ( )

This book opens tastefully with a preface for why the book is read differently than most in America, it is a piece of children's literature meant to teach and immerse the reader in Japanese culture. It copies its style of having the stories go from right to left, but aside from that difference the writing is very simplistic with very clear language meant to highlight the elegance of Japanese culture without making it daunting. The point of view is that of a narrator gently showing critical and relevant pieces of the land of Japan, from the name of its student's backpacks to the writing system and its origins. The plot goes as such, we are given one word and explanation about an item or concept pertaining to Japanese culture, this book takes us from A-Z like in the English alphabet. The simple pace that gives you time to read while looking upon gorgeous water color illustrations, really lends itself to broadening the reader's perspective of what is so different about a land like Japan but also its similarities.

A to Zen is an informational book which uses the letters of the alphabet to share about Japanese culture. This book is written like a Japanese book and uses vivid illustrations painted in the traditional Japanese way.

This is an ABC book and over all that is Japanese. It is read from front to back the way Japanese books are read and each letter represents something that has to do with Japanese culture.

I really enjoyed this book because it is very informative about Japanese culture and lifestyle. It is also very interesting in the way it is presented both as and ABC book and the way it is read in traditional Japanese style.

I would use this book if I were doing a segment on multiculturalism. It would be great for the children to split up into groups and do a project on one of the areas of Japanese culture represented in the book and present it to the class.

A cute concept and a different way of presenting A to Z. Good pictures and descriptions of different cultural items and ideas, including why they are important. This would probably make a good read aloud story for 1st or 2nd grade. ( )