Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen
(Jasmine Toguchi #1)

Gr 1-3-Jasmine Toguchi is anticipating the arrival of her family members for the New Year in sunny Los Angeles. Every year to celebrate, Jasmine's relatives spend all day making mochi, Japanese sweet rice cakes. Jasmine will have to wait two more years before she can assist with the mochi-tsuki, or mochi-making, with her grandma and aunties. Pounding the rice with the mochi hammer is a difficult feat that's reserved for the men in the family. But fearless Jasmine is determined to be the first girl and first person under 10 to help with the New Year preparations. Obaachan, Jasmine's grandmother, encourages her to be patient, while mean cousin Eddie relentlessly taunts the girl. In this new early chapter book series, Florence introduces readers to a bright character who is grappling with respecting authority while also forging her own path. Vukovic's illustrations are expressive and imbue Jasmine and the Toguchi family with sweetness. VERDICT This first entry nicely balances humor with the challenges of growing up; readers will devour it.--Claire Moore, Manhattan Beach Library, CA

Jasmine Toguchi's Japanese-American family is once again gathering to make mochi to celebrate the new year, but the eight-year-old isn't allowed to help pound the mochi: she's too small, too weak, too young--and a girl. Florence (the Dorothy and Toto series) warmly traces Jasmine's efforts to get strong (and fast), her clashes and tender moments with her family, and the ins and outs of making mochi (a recipe is included). Vukovic's b&w spot illustrations evoke Japanese Sumi-e painting while playfully capturing Jasmine's willfulness and her family's closeness. Simultaneously available: Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth. Ages 6-9. Author's agent: Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator's agency: Shannon Associates. (July)