So guess what the #1 bestselling textbook in Japan is? It is:
“日本一楽しい漢字ドリル うんこかん字ドリル 小学1年生” (The Most Fun Kanji Drill Book in Japan: Poop Kanji for First Grade)
I saw this on Amazon Japan a few months ago and had a good chuckle. Someone is a genius! Do you know how much my kids love potty-humor? Hahaha.
So I was totally on board when my son’s first-grade teacher at Japanese School wanted every student in her class to have a copy of this kanji workbook. And you know what? My son LOVES it. I hear him reading this book out loud to his sister in the mornings. I have to force him to stop working in the book sometimes. Would your kids be motivated to learn kanji if they had a workbook like this?
Here are some sample pages:
The translation for the first example sentence above is: “Today’s weather forecast is sunny, partly poopy.”
There are unko/poop kanji workbooks for grades 1-6. I’m not sure how many 6th graders would like this learning style, but my first grader sure likes it. They can be bought at Amazon Japan, here (I am not affiliated with Amazon Japan).
You can find out more at: https://unkokanji.com/
I’m reinforcing my knowledge in Nihongo in preparation for taking the JLPT exam. 😀 I’m having fun looking at your resources. Makes me wish I started studying Nihongo when I was kid! Thanks for sharing your feedback on this book. 🙂
I arrived in Japan last month for school for a summer program. (I am an american but interested in learning the language.) I have seen these books in all the bookstores! I have 2 young daughters who I am trying to teach Japanese to as well. I am so glad I found your website!
I studied Japanese for 3 semesters in college but haven’t spoken it since, and I am challenging myself to sit the JLPT N5 exam this year for fun haha… so yes I just ordered this book… for myself 🤣
It is really fun. I hope you enjoy it!