Shita-kiri Suzume: The Tongue-Cut Sparrow: 舌切り雀: A Japanese Folktale: 舌切り雀 Folktale

A gentle retelling of one of Japan's most beloved folktales - now in English and Japanese, side by side. When a kind old man rescues an injured sparrow, an unlikely friendship blooms. But his sharp-tongued wife has little patience for the little bird, and her anger sets off a journey deep into a magical bamboo forest - one that will teach both husband and wife an unforgettable lesson about kindness, greed, and what truly matters. Shita-kiri Suzume: The Tongue-Cut Sparrow is Book 8 in the Kogetsu Japanese Tales series, a collection of classic Japanese folktales retold for young readers ages 7-12. Each softly illustrated, bilingual picture book pairs warm watercolor artwork with English and Japanese text, making it perfect for family read-alouds, language learners, and anyone curious about Japan's rich storytelling tradition. Discover the full series: Book 1: Kaguya-hime (かぐや姫) Book 2: Urashima Taro (浦島太郎) Book 3: The Crane's Gift (鶴の恩返し) Book 4: Momotarō The Peach Boy (桃太郎) Book 5: Kasa Jizo (笠地蔵) Book 6: Issun-bōshi: The One-Inch Boy (一寸法師) Book 7: Tanabata (七夕) Book 8: Shita-kiri Suzume: The Tongue-Cut Sparrow (舌切り雀) A story of compassion, consequence, and the enduring magic of Japanese storytelling - for young readers and lifelong fans of folktales alike.