Showing results by author "Nankichi Niimi" in All Categories

It is a gentle and poetic story by beloved children’s author Nankichi Niimi. A tiny, transparent baby snail rides on its mother’s back, just beginning to discover the world. Through a quiet conversation between mother and child, the newborn learns little by little about life, nature, and perhaps even things the mother herself does not yet know. It is a tender tale of growth and curiosity, perfect for bedtime reading and ideal for sharing with young children.

The Found Trumpet is a very short fairy tale written by beloved Japanese author Nankichi Niimi. Once upon a time, there was a lonely young man. He had no family—no father, mother, or siblings—and lived quietly alone. But deep inside, he longed to do something remarkable, to become someone great. One day, he discovered a trumpet. And then... what happened next? This touching, imaginative tale is perfect for reading aloud to children, inspiring dreams of hope and purpose.

"Mandarin Ducks" is a fairy tale by Nankichi Niimi that likens true love between a man and a woman to a pair of Mandarin ducks. A haggard young man gazes upon the loving Mandarin duck couple every day, and then, suddenly, by a spring in the forest, an old man with a white beard appears and speaks to him. The old man is a spring hermit. This book is a fantastical story reminiscent of an old Chinese legend.

Written by renowned children's author Nankichi Niimi, Bamboo Shoots is a gentle and whimsical tale perfect for reading aloud to children. The story follows a curious young bamboo shoot growing underground, eager to explore the world. But its mother, the tall bamboo, warns it gently: "Don't go too far. If you leave the bushes, you'll be trampled by horses." What will the bamboo shoot do next? A charming, brief fairy tale with a touch of wisdom—ideal for young readers and bedtime storytelling.

Written by renowned Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi, The Butterfly That Followed is a gentle, poetic tale . On a street corner, an old man sells colorful balloons—red, blue, yellow, and purple—swaying softly in the wind. Every day, a little white butterfly visits the balloons and spends the whole day with them. Among them all, it shares a special friendship with the tiniest red balloon. What happened next to the red balloon and the white butterfly? This simple, heartwarming story invites children and adults alike to imagine and dream. Ideal for reading aloud to children.

It is a gentle and poetic story by beloved children’s author Nankichi Niimi. Spring had arrived in the countryside—cherry blossoms and birds were singing. But deep in the mountains, winter still lingered, with snow remaining on the peaks. There, a deer family lived quietly. The fawn, not yet a year old, had never seen spring. “Father, what is spring-like?” the little deer asked. It is a tender, thoughtful tale about the changing seasons and a child’s curiosity. Perfect for bedtime reading and sharing with young children.

Bear Cub is a heartwarming mini-tale by beloved children's author Nankichi Niimi. A hunter suddenly realizes he's forgotten his hat—perhaps he left it under the tree where he rested? But when he looks back, what he sees is not what he expected… This very short fairy tale, filled with quiet surprise and charm, is perfect for reading aloud to children.

In this very short fairy tale by beloved children's author Nankichi Niimi, a young shoemaker's boy crafts his first pair of shoes. When a traveler buys them, the boy is filled with joy—it's his very first sale. But what comes next? As the boy takes his first step into the adult world, his heart begins to change. A quiet, thoughtful tale of growing up—perfect for reading aloud to children.

In this gentle story by Nankichi Niimi, young Taro catches a rhinoceros beetle and sets off to visit his friends, hoping they can teach him fun ways to play with it. As he goes from house to house, he experiences moments of growing up—encountering minor pains, quiet loneliness, and the bittersweetness of a summer day. It is a tender tale of childhood and change, perfect for reading aloud to children.

This charming tale by Nankichi Niimi tells the story of a young girl in a red ribbon hat who meets a red dragonfly during her summer stay at a fabulous retreat. The dragonfly grows fond of the girl. As summer ends, the girl must return to Tokyo—what will happen to the red dragonfly? Perfect for children's storytelling, this brief yet heartwarming fairy tale captures the fleeting beauty of summer and the bond between the girl and the dragonfly.

Written by the beloved Japanese children's author Nankichi Niimi, Fox is a gentle, moonlit tale inspired by the author's childhood memories. In this very short fairy tale, a group of children walk from their small village to a neighboring one to see a night festival. As the moonlight casts short shadows behind them, one boy buys a pair of wooden clogs. What happens next? Poetic and straightforward, this story is perfect for reading aloud to children.

This Very Short Fairy Tale by beloved children's author Nankichi Niimi begins with a simple scene: rapeseed growing outside the window of a stable. Though not yet in bloom, its buds are full of promise. As the story unfolds, a skylark, a horse, a butterfly, and the rapeseed gradually come to understand the world around them—gaining awareness and beginning to see it with new eyes. A gentle and poetic tale, perfect for reading aloud to children, it quietly explores the moment when life begins to notice itself.

Written by beloved children's author Nankichi Niimi, Rabbit—A Very Short Fairy Tale is a humorous and heartwarming story about a man who wanted to buy a donkey but was tricked into buying a rabbit. No matter how long he waits, the rabbit won't grow! What will the man do next? This charming tale is full of gentle humor and classic storytelling, perfect for reading aloud to children.

This is a short fairy tale by renowned children's author Nankichi Niimi. A young girl, crouching by a pond, accidentally drops her precious hairpin into the water. A fish finds it, but knowing how important it is to the girl, he refuses to return it. What will happen next? A gentle story of friendship between a fish and a girl, perfect for reading aloud to children.

A Very Short Fairy Tale by Nankichi Niimi, one of Japan's most beloved children's story authors. A crab opens a barbershop—but no customers come. So, determined and full of hope, the little crab sets off to the beach in search of clients. Filled with gentle humor and charm, this short tale is perfect for young children to read aloud.

This is a Very Short Fairy Tale by renowned children’s author Nankichi Niimi. It tells the heartwarming story of a young girl who has lost her mother and a nightingale who has lost her child. Perfect for reading aloud to children.

Written by celebrated children’s author Nankichi Niimi, this Very Short Fairy Tale begins with an old carriage standing quietly in front of the village office. Its green paint has faded in the rain, and its iron frame has turned red with rust. Children often gather and play around it—until one day, the village mayor arrives and says something surprising to them. What did the mayor say? This gentle tale invites readers to consider how we treat old but meaningful things. Full of warmth and subtle reflection, it’s perfect for reading aloud to children.

This is a Very Short Fairy Tale by beloved children’s author Nankichi Niimi. A mother sparrow with a bad leg lays three eggs—but she worries: what if her chicks are born with the same disability? It is a gentle and thoughtful story, perfect for reading aloud to children.

This is a short fairy tale by renowned children's author Nankichi Niimi. On a summer day, a group of boys eagerly prepare for their annual mock battle against children from the neighboring village. But their "enemies" seem different this year, leaving the boys confused. What has happened? It is a story based on childhood memories, perfect for reading aloud to children.

This is a very short fairy tale by renowned children's author Nankichi Niimi. One day, a horse wakes up from a nap and shouts that someone has stolen his legs! He pulls his horse friend into the commotion, and the two cause a big fuss. What happens next? It is a humorous and lighthearted story, perfect for reading aloud to children.