Shimachan

Hi there! I'm Shimachan, the author behind the "Picture This: Japanese Words!" series. I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. My journey as a language learner has been a long and insightful one, having lived in Australia for 15 years and now in the U.S. for 7 years.

Throughout my own experience learning English as a second language, I quickly realized that one of the biggest hurdles was pronunciation. The way you use your mouth and throat can be surprisingly different from what you're used to in your native tongue! This challenge resonated deeply with me, and it sparked the idea for these books: I wanted to create a fun, accessible way for English speakers to conquer Japanese pronunciation, especially for kids.

The vision for "Picture This: Japanese Words!" began with a simple goal: to make learning Japanese enjoyable for children and their families. I didn't want to create something overly academic or intimidating. Instead, I focused on a way for entire families to learn together, playing games and having fun. That's when the idea of visual pronunciation came to life. By seeing how to make the sounds, learners wouldn't need a native speaker around to guide them, making it perfect for anyone starting from scratch.

My hope is that the more of a beginner you are, the more fun you'll have with these books! Please, don't overthink it. Just gather your family, try pronouncing the words, and play around with the sounds. If these books can make learning Japanese even a little bit more enjoyable for you and your loved ones, then my mission is accomplished.