My First Book of Indonesian Words: An ABC Rhyming Book of Indonesian Language and Culture (My First Words)

My First Book of Indonesian Words introduces Indonesian language and culture to young children in a fun, playful way.

The familiar ABC rhyming structure combines with colorful illustrations to encourage the natural ability of children to easily pick up new languages and vocabulary.

Words for things kids know in English (like kucing, or "cat") are joined by words specific to Indonesian culture (gamelan, batik, legong), giving children a glimpse into Indonesian culture and life. Everyday expressions — such as "Apa kabar?" which means "How are you?" — give them a chance to communicate in a meaningful way and show them that when it comes to courtesy and friendliness, other cultures have a lot in common with their own.

Cultural and linguistic notes are added for parents, teachers and librarians to enhance the learning experience. The cheerful illustrations depict a friendly and culturally rich nation, where the people are happy to know you and to share a bit of how they live.

Linda Hibbs has been studying the language and culture of Indonesia since her first visit at age 12. She has taught Indonesian at the secondary and university levels for over two decades, and holds degrees in Indonesian language and ethnomusicology as well as a Master's degree in Asian Studies. She is an educational consultant who has created teaching resources for Indonesian language educators at the primary and secondary school levels. She is the author of All About Indonesia and the Indonesian for Kids flash card sets.

The digital illustrations for this book were created by Julia Laud for Caravan Studio.
Caravan Studio was founded in January 2008 in Indonesia. Specializing in creating artwork for comic books, illustration, concept art and toy design, the studio has worked for major names in the publishing and entertainment industry.