In Why Max “Meows” and Risa “Nyaas”?, readers learn alongside two children from America and Japan who discover fun differences in the way their two cultures express onomatopoeias. Where did the idea for this book come from?

When I first started studying Japanese, I was amazed by how much onomatopoeia is used in everyday conversations. In US English, we use words like “pop,” “meow,” “crackle,” and “bang” to add vividness to our language. However, in Japanese, there are thousands of onomatopoeia used that not only represent real sounds but also describe conditions, movements, and feelings. For example, “fura-fura” means dizzy, “waku-waku” means excited, and “noro-noro” means moving slowly. I found these expressions so colorful and funny that I thought they would be a fun way to introduce language differences to children. While teaching cross-cultural education at elementary schools in Kobe, Japan, one of my most popular lessons was about the differences in Japanese and US animal sounds. This experience inspired me to write my award-winning children’s book, Why Max MEOWS and Risa NYAAS?

Can you share with us a little about the research required to put your book together?

Because Japanese and US English languages have different pronunciations, I wanted to ensure children learn the correct way to pronounce Japanese animal sounds. After consulting with several native Japanese speakers, I created a chart for the book that includes both Japanese and US English animal sounds with phonetic pronunciation and spelling.

What is one thing you hope young readers, their parents, and teachers are able to take away from Max and Risa’s story?

Having lived in Japan for over 25 years, the culture has profoundly influenced my life. Through my children’s book, I want to introduce young minds to the wonders of Japanese art, language, and culture. In my book, Max, an American boy, is intrigued when he hears Risa, a Japanese girl, mimic a cat’s sound as “nyaa” instead of “meow.” This curiosity leads to the discovery that animals might “speak” different languages in different parts of the world. I hope teachers and parents can use this universal concept of animal sounds to broaden children’s cultural understanding and even spark interest in learning a foreign language.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

In line with my mission to introduce children to the rich traditions of Japanese art, culture, and language, I am currently writing a book with a Kintsugi theme. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, celebrating imperfections, and embracing the beauty of flaws. Additionally, I am working on a second onomatopoeia-themed book that introduces the Japanese onomatopoeia used to express feelings and emotions.

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