Read · Picture books
おはなし Ohanashi
Japanese picture books, read aloud
A library of Japanese picture books made for children learning to read Japanese — especially kids growing up outside Japan with a Japanese-speaking parent. Every book is written for one reading level and checked character by character.
Screenshots
What’s inside
Leveled by what they can read
ひらがな for brand-new readers, then 一年生 (the 80 first-grade kanji) and 二年生 (adds the 160 second-grade kanji). Choose the level that fits your child, not their age.
Read-along narration
A warm, natural Japanese voice reads each page while the words light up one at a time. Tap any word to hear just that word.
Furigana you can turn off
Kanji show their reading above them. When your child is ready, turn furigana off and let them try.
Stories about their life
Tanabata wishes with Grandma over a video call, a first summer festival in Japan, onigiri in an American lunchroom — told for kids who live between two cultures.
For parents
Behind a grown-ups-only check: an English line under each page for parents who don’t read Japanese, plus reading progress for every book.
Safe for kids
No ads, no accounts, no tracking. Books download once and then work offline.
At a glance
- Devices
- iPhone and iPad
- Levels
- Hiragana · Grade 1 kanji · Grade 2 kanji
- Price
- A free book at every level plus a free book of the month · subscription for the full library, with a free trial and Family Sharing
- Privacy
- No ads, accounts or tracking · reads offline
