Celebrating 5 Years of Japanese Story Time!

Japanese Story Time is a volunteer-led program that I started at the Loomis Library in 2022. Now celebrating its fifth year, it has grown into a warm and welcoming community where children and families of all language backgrounds can enjoy Japanese language and culture together.

I am deeply grateful to have received 100 Japanese children’s books from the ITOCHU Foundation to support Japanese Story Time. These books have become a wonderful resource for the children and families who participate in the program.
Each 30-minute Story Time includes Japanese picture books, children’s songs and hand-play activities, simple hiragana activities, and themes inspired by Japanese seasons, traditions, and events.

Story Time is conducted entirely in Japanese, giving children an opportunity to experience the sound and rhythm of the language and a little bit of Japan. No Japanese language experience is required—everyone is welcome!

After Story Time, families are welcome to stay and enjoy optional activities inspired by the day’s theme or season, such as crafts, origami, and simple games.

When: September 16, 2026;starting in October 2026, the 1st Wednesday of each month
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Ages: It is designed for ages 2–5; children of all ages are welcome
Summer Break: June–August

Please arrive about 10 minutes early so your child has time to get settled and receive a name tag. An adult must accompany each child. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate and enjoy the experience together.

The Loomis Library also has approximately 30 Japanese picture books available for families to check out and take home.

We look forward to seeing you!

A Little about Malie and Japanese Story Time

Why did you want to create a story time for speakers and learners of Japanese?

I started Japanese Story Time at the Loomis Library in 2022 because, as a parent raising bilingual children, I wanted to create a warm and welcoming place where families could enjoy Japanese together.

Attending English Story Time with my own children had been a wonderful “oasis” in the busy days of parenting. It also reminded me how meaningful it is to share my language and culture with my children through books, songs, and play.
From the beginning, my goal has been to create a Story Time where children and families of all language backgrounds can come together through Japanese language and culture. Although Story Time is conducted entirely in Japanese, everyone is welcome.

Now celebrating its fifth year, I feel especially grateful to share Japanese language and culture here in Loomis, a community with a rich Japanese American history.

With the support of the Loomis Library and our community, I hope to continue creating a warm “oasis” where children and families can laugh, play, discover, and create happy memories together.

Is Japanese Story Time for Japanese speakers only?

Not at all! Children of all Japanese language levels and backgrounds are welcome. There is no pressure to understand or speak Japanese—just come, listen, play, and enjoy!

Do you teach elsewhere?

Yes! In addition to Japanese Story Time at the Loomis Library, I currently teach Japanese and support families in several different ways.

• Private & Small-Group Japanese Lessons
  I offer Japanese lessons for children in 3rd through 8th grade who are learning Japanese as a foreign language. I especially enjoy working with homeschool students and families looking to incorporate Japanese into their children’s education.

• Japanese Activities & Family Support
  For children growing up with Japanese as a heritage language, I occasionally organize Japanese play clubs and cultural events. I also offer opportunities for parents raising children bilingually or multilingually to share experiences, ideas, and questions.

• Cultural Exchange
  I have organized cultural exchange events connecting local children with high school students visiting the area from Japan for short-term language programs.

I have experience teaching Japanese to learners from young children through high school, as well as adults, and have completed professional training in early childhood Japanese education.

If you are interested in Japanese lessons for your child, please feel free to reach out. Regardless of your child’s age or language background, I would be happy to hear from you and explore what might work best for your family.

What is your favorite children’s story?

My favorite children’s books right now are the picture books created by The Cabin Company.

After my son was born, I discovered Shingoki Pikori (しんごうきピコリ), which quickly became a favorite for both of us. We have read it together countless times. After my daughter was born, she loved it too—and one day, with a big smile on her face, she tore a page right out of the book!

We taped the page back together, and we still read the book today. Whenever I see that taped-up page, I am reminded of how much my children and I have connected through reading together.

I also love many of The Cabin Company’s other books. Their stories are full of unexpected discoveries and surprising endings, making them wonderful to read again and again.

What do you like most about the Loomis Library?

One of the things I love most about the Loomis Library is its warm and welcoming atmosphere.
I am especially grateful for the support of the library staff and the families who have participated in Japanese Story Time over the years. The library has also supported the program by adding Japanese children’s books to its collection, allowing families in our community to check them out and enjoy them at home.

I feel very grateful to have shared Japanese Story Time with the Loomis community for the past five years, and I look forward to continuing to make it a warm, fun, and special experience for children and families.