Immigrant & New Generation Books

Written by Debbi Michiko Florence and Allison Hiroto (Narrator)
Illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic
Published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux/ OrangeSky Audio (Audio)

Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is a flamingo fan, tree climber, and top-notch mess-maker!

She’s also tired of her big sister, Sophie, always getting to do things first. For once, Jasmine wishes SHE could do something before Sophie—something special, something different. The New Year approaches, and as the Toguchi family gathers in Los Angeles to celebrate, Jasmine is jealous that her sister gets to help roll mochi balls by hand with the women. Her mom says that Jasmine is still too young to join in, so she hatches a plan to help the men pound the mochi rice instead. Surely her sister has never done THAT before.

But pounding mochi is traditionally reserved for boys. And the mochi hammer is heavier than it looks. Can Jasmine build her case and her mochi-making muscles in time for New Year’s Day?

NOTE: Wonderbook editions are hardcover picture books with an audiobook player embedded in the front cover. You can purchase this Wonderbook HERE.

Primary ISBN: 9781669608066
Publication Date: January 2022
Available As: Wonderbook
Chapter Books , Age 06 or older

Community Represented: Japanese/Japanese American

Themes: Audiobook, Award Winner, Celebrations, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Engagement Tool: Arts, Engagement Tool: Audio or Podcast, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Relationship: Siblings, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences: Gender Roles, Immigrant: Education, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Recommended: Counterpoint to AAPI Hate, Wonderbook

Setting: United States (California)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Activities

EXPLORE Jasmine Toguchi Activities

Podcast