Tap the button to open the flip picture book (ehon).
This page doesn’t include English explanations—try reading in Japanese!
On the flip book page, you'll see four buttons to help you move through the book:
- First(さいしょ) – Go to the front cover.
- Back(もどる) – Return to the previous page.
- Next(すすむ) – Turn to the next page.
- Last(さいご) – Skip to the back cover.
The First(さいしょ), Back(もどる), and Last(さいご) buttons use arrow icons to show direction. But the Next(すすむ) button is special—it’s a little chick ! If you're not sure which button to press, just follow the chick.
When you find a star icon with the word “おきにいり” (favorite), just tap ! That book will be saved to your favorites, so you can find it easily next time from the Favorites page!
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Scroll down to read with explanations
With a read-aloud button!
It uses your browser’s speech feature.
A robotic voice reads Japanese text aloud.
The picture book pages include a small navigation menu to help you explore.
On the flip book and PDF download pages, the buttons are labeled in Japanese only—but don’t worry, they’re easy to use. Just try tapping them!
- This picture book is original content by AKAEHO. The copyright of the picture book belongs to AKAEHO and the assigned illustrators.
- The PDF picture book is available for free download for use only in homes, small non-profit groups, and childcare facilities.
- Unauthorized reproduction and secondary use of the picture book and illustrations are strictly prohibited. Some of the illustrations are available for paid purchase. If you wish to use the illustrations for commercial purposes, please purchase them through the paid sites
-> Guide to Illustration Sales - Some of the picture book’s illustrations are distributed in black and white versions on our sister site, “Chibisozai.” They may be used for non-commercial purposes.
A picture book that plays the word game 'Shiratori' with animals.
\Reads aloud Japanse text with a robotic voice/
え・ぶん:ちびこママ
Created by Chibiko mama
りす
squirrel
すずめ
sparrow
めだか
Japanese rice fish
かい
shellfish
いんこ
parakeet
こあら
koala
らいおん
lion
“Raion” ends in “n” (ん), so the game is over
おしまい
Note to Readers: About “いきものしりとり”
Shiritori is a Japanese word game where each word begins with the last sound of the word before.
If a word ends in “n” (ん), the game is over!
This picture book plays Shiritori using only animal names.
All words are written in hiragana, making it easy for young learners to recognize Japanese characters.
Here’s how the text looks when written with kanji or katakana:
- りす:リス(risu)
- すずめ:スズメ、雀(suzume)
- めだか:メダカ(medaka)
- かい:貝(kai)
- いんこ:インコ(inko)
- こあら:コアラ(koara)
- らいおん:ライオン(raion)
You might also enjoy these themed Shiritori picture books: Food Word Chain Shiritori





