Let's Learn Japanese Picture Dictionary by Marlene Goodman
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Book Reviews of Let's Learn Japanese Picture Dictionary
Book Review: a nice book, with a helpful way to learn some Japanese words
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this book in a bookstore before we moved to Japan; I was so excited to see a Japanese picture book that my daughter may enjoy that I bought it immediately. In reading through it before our move here, it was interesting, although a bit dense with information since I initially bought it for my preschool-aged daughter. This may be more useful for adults or school-age kids who want to learn Japanese words in a context beyond just memorizing the words and their meanings, but rather associating pictures with the Japanese words and how they are pronounced. The pictures are good, and my daughter enjoys looking at them for a little while; however, they really are geared more toward adults or school-age children (i.e. they are not the fun and happy pictures to which preschoolers or that age group are typically drawn). I do still go over it in limited doses with my 3-year old to help her learn Japanese words, but this is not a book she will pull off the shelf and look through on her own (she does do that with most of her other books).
Now that I am living in Japan and learning the language and having to use it in everyday life, I find myself reading this book more than my daughter, where it is useful as a tool to increase my vocabulary. There is also a nice index in the back of the book with both the english as well as romaji text for the Japanese words. I wouldn't use this book by itself to learn Japanese, but do not think that was ever its intention anyway. This is a nice book in that it does include the kanji/hiragana/katakana text for the words as well as how it is pronounced. The actual Japanese script for the words is great because it can help you identify it on packaging or other times you need to learn the written word. For a real beginner, having the romaji pronunciation help there is a plus, since learning all of the kanji scripts and their respective pronunciations can be more than a little overwhelming (at least there are more limited numbers of hiragana and katakana scripts to learn). For those of us learning Japanese and needing to use it in everyday life, having the romaji pronunciation there is a big help, vs. a more academic approach of strictly learning all of the Japanese script (kanji, hiragana, katakana) for the words.
Book Review: Nice book
Summary: 4 Stars
Rather than just an illustrated dictionary, this book consists of double-page spreads with a large picture, and much smaller pictures of the individual items (with the words) on the side. You can look at the words on the side and learn them, then (I suppose) cover them up and look at the main picture and try to identify things from memory. All items are listed in English, Romaji, and Japanese. Please note the Japanese uses kanji with no furigana, so you'll have to use the romaji if you don't know the kanji (which I doubt you would know, otherwise you wouldn't be using this book). Unfortunately the book appears to have been translated to Japanese, that is the pictures show American scenes rather than Japanese scenes. So, the food in the restaurant is all American-type food, no Japanese food. The furniture in the house is Western style, not Japanese style. The mailbox is American, not Japanese (I'd like to know what a Japanese mailbox looks like). The landscapes have no volcanoes ... you get the idea. Otherwise it's a decent book with a large vocabulary. It's just a shame the illustrations couldn't have been customized for Japan, rather than just a Japanese translation of whatever words were already in the book.Book Review: Childhood memories <3
Summary: 4 Stars
My dictionary arrived yesterday. It is the exact same pictionary from back when I was learning Spanish XD It is EXACTLY the same. Same pictures and everything. The ONLY difference is everything's in Japanese instead of Spanish. But it is the EXACT same thing except that part. XD XD
Brings back memories. <3 However, Although it wins points memory wise. A lot of the vocab, you don't need. Like who's wears a "Top Hat" anymore? I remember another comment about a man having a Japanese wife who says,"They have words that people don't even use anymore." That is true. I don't think you are going to need "movie projector" or "spinning wheel." However, the visual aid is very helpful. But the artist is very lazy. I remember the same pictures from my childhood with the Spanish dictionary. What I mean is, they aren't even Japanese scenes. These are American scenes with Japanese words under them. It would be nicer if they were Japanese pictures instead of American pictures.
Book Review: Good book, would have preferred no romaji
Summary: 4 Stars
Children's book or no, I was hoping this picture dictionary would be very useful. Unfortunately its usefulness is abated by the use of romaji. Do not be mistaken, kana and kanji are used -- each word/image is broken up into English, romaji, and its proper kana or kanji. However, I would very much have prefered that it just be English, kana, and kanji with furigana/rubi where required.
As it stands, the romaji becomes a crutch. Not to mention it is the only way of learning the pronunciation of the kanji, something I very much dislike.
If you don't mind this issue, then it is otherwise a very good book.
Book Review: Pretty good, some Japanese words are a bit old.
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall good product to play with if you got a young kid. In my case I've been sitting with my 3 year old looking at the pictures and get a fun time out of it. For serious study, this book may not be the best material. Maybe use as reference when you need to look up something. My wife also mentioned that the book has some old Japanese that she don't think anyone is using them anymore. 4 out of 5.
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