The Sakura Medal Books

Librarian Recommended Children’s English Books

The Sakura Medal

The Sakura Medal Books Awards bring together students from international schools across Japan each year to vote for their favourite books.

Each year, librarians from various international schools meet and select 25-30 books in each of the Sakura Medal categories - Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Chapter Books, Middle School, High School, Japanese Picture Books, Japanese Chapter Books, Japanese Middle School, and Japanese High School.

Books are chosen that are no more than two years old and that are from a variety of backgrounds and across a wide range of reading abilities.

Students who read five books (four for Middle School and three for High School books) in any category will be eligible to vote for their favourite. Votes will then be tallied across all participating schools and the winning author in each category will receive a Sakura Medal.

While staff and parents are encouraged to participate, voting is only open to students.

Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms, which are celebrated in Japan each year as a sign of spring.

COVID-19 Update: Parents - there has never been a better time for you and your child to pick up a book! You may browse by school age, location, and book type in the sidebar. All books here are recommended by a committee of 60+ International School Librarians in Japan for the annual Sakura Medal Book Award.

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Jolly Phonics Workbook 1-7

15.04.2019 written by: Author here

Jolly Phonics Workbooks 1-7

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Working as both a Private Teacher and as Manager of a dispatch teaching company I have been continually impressed with the value for money that Jolly Phonics proved with their resources. All 7 workbooks for around $20! The content is excellent too. Jolly Phonics offer all resources in Print or Cursive fonts, so be sure to select correctly. All links here are for Print.
The complete set of 7 workbooks covering all the 42 letter sounds in print letters.

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics Student, Book 1

15.04.2019 written by: Author here

Jolly Phonics Student, Book 1

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Covers all the 42 letter sounds, with the Jolly Phonics action, letter formation, listening for letter sounds in words, blending activities and the first set of tricky words.

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics Student, Book 2

15.04.2019 written by: Author here

Jolly Phonics Student, Book 2

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Continues to build on the skills that the children have been taught in book 1. It introduces more tricky words, alternative letter sound spellings and basic sentence structure to encourage independent writing.

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics Student, Book 3

15.04.2019 written by: Author here

Jolly Phonics Student, Book 3

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Contains further activities to consolidate the learning in books 1 & 2, as well as new spelling patterns, tricky words plus short and long vowels.

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics Picture Flashcards

15.04.2019 written by: Author here

Jolly Phonics Picture Flashcards (in Print Letters)

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Print, rather than precursive. Only play with the letters that your student or child has learned so far. Do not be tempted to skip ahead.
A box of 60 cards. Also includes 17 alternative letter sound spellings.

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics Wall Frieze Wall Chart

15.04.2019 written by: Author here

Jolly Phonics Wall Frieze Wall Chart

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Display this permanently where children are able to see it. They can see their own progress through the 42 sounds and refer to it without asking you. Just remember to cover it during assessments.

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics The Phonics Handbook in Print Letter

15.04.2019 written by: Author here

Jolly Phonics The Phonics Handbook in Print Letter

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The best place to start when teaching Jolly Phonics to a class. The Phonics Handbook is a complete resource for teaching reading, writing and spelling.

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Preschool English story books
relating to the time before a child is old enough to go to school.

Graphic Novels
a novel in comic-strip format.
synonyms: comic, comic book, cartoon; manga

Picture books
a book containing many illustrations, especially one for children.

High School Books
For high school students

Chapter Books
A story book intended for intermediate readers, generally age 7-10

Early Reader
The first books that children will be able to read independently.

Jolly Phonics
The very best texts available to help students learn to read and write.

Jolly Phonics website
• Jolly Phonics And The UK National Curriculum
• Parent/Teacher Guide. English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Ukrainian versions.
• Free Parent & Teacher Resources

Setting
International School students are very often interested in where the story is located. If it plays a key role in the story and is mentioned in the blurb then it has been tagged

Ties for Teachers

All-new Kindle Kids Edition - Includes access to thousands of books - Rainbow Birds Cover

How to read books aloud

Teaching tips
• Ensure all students / your children can see the book
• Allow students to settle before you begin reading. Turn of nearby computers or TVs to avoid distractions
• Allow time for students to absorb the illustrations on each page before reading the text
• Different voices for each character are engaging for students and fun for you if you are reading the story multiple times - if you can keep track of voices of the characters
• Inform your audience of the author and illustrator so they may ask for the story again and foster an interest in writers and drawing
• Take your time
• There is no need to be shy. Children will delight in listening to you

How often should you read with your child?
• Everyday