To start with visiting Japan is ranked very high on my pocket list. I'm in love with different culture specially the Japanese culture, so i immediately fell in love with this book . A brother and a sister traveling across the glob to discover a new culture that they have only seen on TV and read on books. I believe that this book will be a great read during a social studies class to introduce children to a totally different culture and make them appreciate the differences that we all have. ( )

Lulu and her little brother Alexander go off to Japan and experience it first hand. They take part in all of their cultured traditions, learn some language, and eat their food. We get a first hand view and understanding on how someone from the American culture experiences another culture (in this case, Japan). Young reader will get a feel, especially visually, on how fun and colorful Japan is. The full spread illustrations represent how busy and colorful the culture of Japan is. The art style is doodle-like and all over the place, giving the reader many different details to analyze and absorb. ( )

Once again, it's Maira Kalman, so I already love it. The illustrations are full of the flat perspective, cartoony, doodley style she excels at. The book is ostensibly a sort of travelogue of Lulu and Alexander's trip to Japan. Kalman presciently has the kids book their trip (sans parental figures) via Mr. Google (HA). Lulu's stream-of-consciousness narration of the adventure gives the book a naive quality that is enormously appealing - events seem to happen randomly but that is probably how it seems to a kid, so it makes sense. My favorite line from the book comes from Lulu's little brother Alexander: "That Godzilla is my friend."

Just as in "Hey Willy," it's probably not the best storytime title - each double-page spread is packed full of detaily little doodles that make it hard to concentrate on the dominant illustrations; the stream of consciousness style would also most likely not work in a crowd setting. For one-on-one sharing or for reading independently, it's perfect! I love this book. ( )

This eccentric text will engage children on all levels. The peculiar artwork is the kind that children will adore.

A girl and her younger brother Alexander go to Japan because her brother wants to go after seeing a Japanese opera. They learn Japanese words, eat the food, and learn some of the customs.
I liked this book. It wasn't just about 2 kids going to a foreign country. It taught some words too. It was a book that had a good plot but also a lesson.
You could teach the children more about Japan or even extend it to other Asian countries and compare. You could let them try some Japanese food and bring in some clothes. The children could make their own kimonos.