Editorial review

だるまさんが

Name: だるまさんが
ISBN: 9784893094315

かがくいひろし／ブロンズ新社

the page-turn giggle book for babies and toddlers

A round little daruma sways side to side, then surprises you on every page turn. Parents on Japan's 絵本ナビ consistently describe babies laughing out loud and asking for it again.

Publisher states: 0+
NIPIKO Books suggests: 0–3 yrs

About the book

だるまさんが (roughly “The daruma goes…”) is by Kagakui Hiroshi and was published by Bronze Shinsha (ブロンズ新社) in January 2008 as the first book in the much-loved “Daruma-san” series. It is a small square hardcover, 17.5 cm across and 20 pages, with only a handful of rhythmic words.

The story and what makes it special

The premise is simple: a daruma doll rocks from side to side in time with the words, and each page turn reveals it doing something unexpected. There is no real plot to follow; the fun is the build-up before the turn and the surprise after it. The publisher notes that it won first place in the newcomer category of the first MOE Picture Book Shop Awards.

Summarised from reader feedback

Why children love it

Across reviews on 絵本ナビ and parent comments on HugKum, the page-turn reveal is the clear favourite: children laugh, start predicting what comes next, and ask to start again straight away. Many parents say their child copies the daruma's movements with their whole body. Some even say that starting the rhythmic opening line was enough to turn a grumpy or crying child around.

What parents may appreciate

Parents value how easy it is to read aloud. The lines are short and rhythmic, so children memorise them quickly and join in. Readers often mention that siblings of different ages enjoy it together and that adults find themselves laughing too. It is frequently mentioned as a baby gift.

Things to consider

Readers raise very few concerns. A small number note that it is over very quickly, so older children may move on from it. If your baby still chews or tears pages, the separate board-book edition is sturdier than the standard hardcover, whose pages are ordinary paper.

Recommended age

Publisher states: 0+
NIPIKO Books suggests: 0–3 yrs

Publisher information: Bronze Shinsha describes it as for everyone “from 0-year-old babies to adults”, and 絵本ナビ lists the publisher's recommended age as 「0歳～」. NIPIKO Books's suggestion: best from about 0 to 3, though readers report that 3- and 4-year-olds still enjoy acting it out.

Reading-together ideas

Read the opening line slowly, syllable by syllable, swaying as you go, and pause before each page turn.
Once your child knows it, stop before turning and let them act out what they think the daruma will do.
Let an older sibling play the daruma and perform each move for the little one.

NIPIKO Books editorial assessment

NIPIKO Books's recommendation

NIPIKO Books sees this as one of the safest and most joyful choices for a first bookshelf. It suits families with babies from a few months old up to about three, and it is especially friendly for parents reading Japanese books who are not yet confident in the language: there are very few words, the rhythm carries you, and the laughter usually arrives immediately.