Tasty Baby Belly Buttons Judy Sierra Read Online

• Home
• My Books

Open Preview

See a Problem?

We'd love your help. Let us know what's wrong with this preview of Tasty Baby Belly Buttons by Judy Sierra.

Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Community Reviews

 · 117 ratings  · 38 reviews

Start your review of Tasty Baby Belly Buttons

Jul 24, 2012 Suzy rated it really liked it

I love this book! Not only is it the 5 year old girl (born in a melon) who goes on a warrior's quest to save the babies from the bad giants (who want to eat their belly buttons -- luckily the girl doesn't have one), but every step of the way she shares what she has with everyone else -- even the giants after she has conquered them. Wonderfully told, beautifully illustrated. Hands down, one of my favorite folk tales to read aloud. I love this book! Not only is it the 5 year old girl (born in a melon) who goes on a warrior's quest to save the babies from the bad giants (who want to eat their belly buttons -- luckily the girl doesn't have one), but every step of the way she shares what she has with everyone else -- even the giants after she has conquered them. Wonderfully told, beautifully illustrated. Hands down, one of my favorite folk tales to read aloud. ...more

Oct 06, 2010 Amy rated it it was amazing

For maximum book enjoyment, read the Author's note First, even though it's at the end of the book. For people used to the Japanese folktale this telling is probably pretty ho-hum, but for those of us to whom it is new, it's like the brothers grim mated with gumby and had a baby girl. Kinda. I love it. For maximum book enjoyment, read the Author's note First, even though it's at the end of the book. For people used to the Japanese folktale this telling is probably pretty ho-hum, but for those of us to whom it is new, it's like the brothers grim mated with gumby and had a baby girl. Kinda. I love it. ...more

Jun 05, 2009 Laura rated it it was amazing

This regional variation on the classic Momotaro (Peach Boy) folktale is hands down my very favorite read-aloud book! The illustrations are lively, the text is polished, and children join in on the refrain with zest ("Belly buttons! Belly buttons! Tasty baby belly buttons!"). This regional variation on the classic Momotaro (Peach Boy) folktale is hands down my very favorite read-aloud book! The illustrations are lively, the text is polished, and children join in on the refrain with zest ("Belly buttons! Belly buttons! Tasty baby belly buttons!"). ...more

Mar 12, 2011 Tyra rated it really liked it

Good fun. Nice story with a little girl hero. Fun rhythm sounds too.
Currently on heavy rotation for bedtime reading.

Jul 21, 2017 AMY rated it did not like it

This is one weird story. Monsters want baby belly buttons and kidnap babies in a village to get them. A little girl is miraculously born from a watermelon and goes to save the babies. Not recommended for elementary kids.

interesting illustration style, and a lovely version of the tale.

Feb 13, 2019 Shiloah rated it really liked it

This is a Japanese folktale that was super fun. We loved that it had a female heroine.

Jul 01, 2020 Patti rated it it was amazing

Bought this for the grandkids. They loved it and so did I. Doing the voices was a BLAST.

Jul 30, 2021 Kelsey rated it it was amazing

A childhood favourite! May or may not have lead to adult me eventually learning Japanese...the first step in the journey, at least.

May 19, 2010 Tracy rated it it was ok

This traditional folk tale from Japan features a miraculous birth, stupid villains and a doughty heroine. I have an interest in folklore, and Judy Sierra's rendition provides good action and distinctive Japanese storytelling signals. Meilo So's pictures demonstrate the Japanese reverence for the brushstroke. I didn't like the color choices and the disjointed building of forms against a white field. The stark background diminished the visual details I might have otherwise enjoyed. But, I apprecia This traditional folk tale from Japan features a miraculous birth, stupid villains and a doughty heroine. I have an interest in folklore, and Judy Sierra's rendition provides good action and distinctive Japanese storytelling signals. Meilo So's pictures demonstrate the Japanese reverence for the brushstroke. I didn't like the color choices and the disjointed building of forms against a white field. The stark background diminished the visual details I might have otherwise enjoyed. But, I appreciated the heroine's kimono, which was inspired by her name, Uriko-himo, "melon princess." While I'll keep the book in my collection, I'm more likely to direct people to the fine Japanese displays consistently produced at the MFA. ...more

Giant ogres raid a village and take its babies for their tasty belly buttons. Little Urikohme goes after the ogres to rescue the babies with the help of some animal friends. She is not afraid because she was born inside a watermelon and has no belly button.

This tale was completely foreign to me and quite honestly downright bizzare! It seemed barbaric to me that even ogres would want to eat belly buttons. I guess I shouldn't feel so surprised given that my own family is famous for biting babies'

Giant ogres raid a village and take its babies for their tasty belly buttons. Little Urikohme goes after the ogres to rescue the babies with the help of some animal friends. She is not afraid because she was born inside a watermelon and has no belly button.

This tale was completely foreign to me and quite honestly downright bizzare! It seemed barbaric to me that even ogres would want to eat belly buttons. I guess I shouldn't feel so surprised given that my own family is famous for biting babies' bottoms and nibbling on toes! I guess it comes down to one's own culture and what is considered the norm.

...more

May 08, 2008 Katey rated it it was amazing

CIP/Summary: Uriko, born of a watermelon, must use her cunning to save the village's children from the Oni who consider baby belly buttons to be a tasty treat.

Tasty Baby Belly Buttons is a scary, fun tale of a little girl, Uriko, whose spunky cleverness triumphs over the monstrous Oni who steal children from the village in order to feast upon their delicious navals. While all ages will enjoy the humorous watercolor illustrations of the hairy-kneed Oni, and hearing about Uriko's bravery, the pri

CIP/Summary: Uriko, born of a watermelon, must use her cunning to save the village's children from the Oni who consider baby belly buttons to be a tasty treat.

Tasty Baby Belly Buttons is a scary, fun tale of a little girl, Uriko, whose spunky cleverness triumphs over the monstrous Oni who steal children from the village in order to feast upon their delicious navals. While all ages will enjoy the humorous watercolor illustrations of the hairy-kneed Oni, and hearing about Uriko's bravery, the primary audience for this picture book is ages 4-8.

Favorably reviewed in SLJ.

...more

Jun 12, 2009 Kasey rated it it was ok

Recommends it for: um, no

Recommended to Kasey by: I can't remember, but they were wrong

So I wonder if a person from a foreign country where to read some childhood favorite of mine & feel the same kind of disconnect as I did. I kept waiting for the expected, "If you're bad they'll come & eat your belly button!" But no, appearantly they just come & take all the babies away and eat them. Um, had this story been told to me as I child I think I'd still be hiding under the bed. And since the monsters were not destroyed, just told not to do it again...definately still under the bed!!
This So I wonder if a person from a foreign country where to read some childhood favorite of mine & feel the same kind of disconnect as I did. I kept waiting for the expected, "If you're bad they'll come & eat your belly button!" But no, appearantly they just come & take all the babies away and eat them. Um, had this story been told to me as I child I think I'd still be hiding under the bed. And since the monsters were not destroyed, just told not to do it again...definately still under the bed!!
This is not a book that would make it to my "purchase for the nephews/grandbaby" list. ...more

My kids loved this retelling of a famous Japanese story. Sierra uses language found in the tales and since she is a expert of folklore around the world, she rewrites stories as true to the culture as possible. My kids enjoy her books and they always have a youthful quirkiness that adults and kids love. Her use of language is smart and silly and loads of fun.

Dec 05, 2009 Judi Paradis rated it really liked it

Can you imagine evil giants that capture babies and eat their belly buttons? Well, in this old Japanese legend, it takes a girl born in a melon, a monkey, a dog and a pheasant to get the babies back and they do a great job. This reads really well aloud--with lots of places for kids to chant along. Weird and fun.

Aug 19, 2011 Mir rated it really liked it

An elderly couple who long for a child receive a baby girl in a melon. Thanks to her unusual origin, she has no belly button (and oni's favorite delicacy) and thus is spared when the ogres carry off all the other babies to their island. Will her sword-fighting and dumpling-cooking skills be enough to save the hapless infants?
An elderly couple who long for a child receive a baby girl in a melon. Thanks to her unusual origin, she has no belly button (and oni's favorite delicacy) and thus is spared when the ogres carry off all the other babies to their island. Will her sword-fighting and dumpling-cooking skills be enough to save the hapless infants? ...more

Nov 24, 2013 Ema rated it it was amazing

I checked this book out from the library so many times that I finally had to buy it. My son enjoys it. The Oni (villains) were a bit scary when he was younger but he still wanted me to read it to him. I like to read stories to my kids that come from different countries and this is a good book to introduce Japanese folklore.

Aug 06, 2015 Kris rated it it was amazing

I just adore this retelling of the Japanese folktale about a young protagonist who battles fearsome canabalistic "oni" (giants) in order to rescue some captured babies. Kids love the spunky central character along with the creep-factor of the villains and will readily join in with their repeated chant - "belly button, belly buttons, tasty baby belly buttons." I just adore this retelling of the Japanese folktale about a young protagonist who battles fearsome canabalistic "oni" (giants) in order to rescue some captured babies. Kids love the spunky central character along with the creep-factor of the villains and will readily join in with their repeated chant - "belly button, belly buttons, tasty baby belly buttons." ...more

Nov 19, 2008 Erin rated it it was amazing

This is a gorgeously illustrated folklore that appears to be drawn in watercolors. It tells the tale of a brave young warrior girl (born from a melon) who helps fight the oni - who like to eat baby bell buttons - a traditional tale with great spunk!

Another Japanese folktale features Uriko-hime, a girl born from a melon, who battles the monstrous oni who steal babies to eat their tasty belly buttons. Illustrated with comical watercolors that bring out the humor in the story. This book includes an author's note on the source of the story. Another Japanese folktale features Uriko-hime, a girl born from a melon, who battles the monstrous oni who steal babies to eat their tasty belly buttons. Illustrated with comical watercolors that bring out the humor in the story. This book includes an author's note on the source of the story. ...more

Jun 21, 2012 Sarah rated it liked it

The kids were intrigued by this Japanese folk tale. Great illustrations in the book. Slightly scary due to the giants stealing babies for their tasty belly buttons, but a nice happy ending with the heroine saving the day.

I'm disappointed that this children's book appears to be out of print - it's a wonderfully illustrated japanese fairy tale but no fairies - just a plucky little girl with a band of animal companions who assist her in a quest against some belly-button-eating giants….terrific story and characters. I'm disappointed that this children's book appears to be out of print - it's a wonderfully illustrated japanese fairy tale but no fairies - just a plucky little girl with a band of animal companions who assist her in a quest against some belly-button-eating giants….terrific story and characters. ...more

A little girl born from a melon sets off with a dog, a pheasant and a monkey and a bag of millet dumplings to rescue the village babies kidnapped by the terrible giant oni for their delectable belly buttons.

Jun 21, 2016 Rani rated it really liked it

Oni, the terrible giants, kidnap children for their belly buttons. Not so fast Oni, for here is Uriko-hime the brave melon princess with her millet dumplings, sword, pheasant bird, dog, and monkey to their rescue. #Japanese #folktale.

Jun 05, 2021 Melanie Gaum rated it it was amazing

Fun story of a brave little girl rescuing the village babies. There was a lot of onomatopoeia, which would contribute to making this a really fun read-aloud book. It is also a good introduction to Japanese folklore.

Aug 30, 2007 Michelle rated it liked it

Recommends it for: anyone who likes to eat belly buttons

melon princess kicks monster butt with her friends in japan.

Feb 12, 2008 Shannon rated it really liked it

Gaby loves this book. I love the telling of a classing Japanese folk tale, with a female hero.

I love the title. I love to eat tasty baby belly buttons. I like the illustrations. The story just didnt do it for me.

Sep 15, 2008 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: teachers, and children third grade and up.

I great book for older children probably no younger than third grade. It teaches determination, and right from wrong. It's based on a Japanese folk tale. I great book for older children probably no younger than third grade. It teaches determination, and right from wrong. It's based on a Japanese folk tale. ...more

This was so cute! The title rolls nicely off the tongue, and compels you to open the book and read.

I took a roundabout path to becoming a children's author. Out of college I did temporary work in offices and libraries, while at night, I wrote poetry and made strange life forms from cloth. When I teamed up with a puppeteer, Bob Kaminski (my husband), I was able to bring my cloth creations to life. We began performing on the streets of San Francisco, at Renaissance fairs, and at schools. After at I took a roundabout path to becoming a children's author. Out of college I did temporary work in offices and libraries, while at night, I wrote poetry and made strange life forms from cloth. When I teamed up with a puppeteer, Bob Kaminski (my husband), I was able to bring my cloth creations to life. We began performing on the streets of San Francisco, at Renaissance fairs, and at schools. After attending a workshop on Balinese shadow puppetry, we traveled to Bali and Java to learn ancient techniques from modern masters, and we adapted material from American folklore to the shadow screen. I became so fascinated by the power of ancient myth and folktale to engage a modern audience that I enrolled in the Folklore and Mythology Program at UCLA, where I received my Ph.D. While I was a student there, I attended a talk by the author-illustrator Uri Shulevitz, and heard him say that a picture book is like a small theater. A puppet theater is also a small theater, I thought. I can do that! My first children's books were adaptations of folktales, and soon, I was able to incorporate my lifelong habit of writing poetry into my work.

Currently (2018), I live in Portland, Oregon, with my husband. I divide my writing time between children's books and a long term project on folktales, grandmothers and cultural evolution.

...more

News & Interviews

While we don't have any actual science to back this up, experience suggests that the most voracious readers on Earth are YA readers. It's...

Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.

Tasty Baby Belly Buttons Judy Sierra Read Online

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/667725.Tasty_Baby_Belly_Buttons

Share this post