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Mai and the Missing Melon
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Check link for latest rating. ( 78 ratings, 21 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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See more"Young Sonoko travels on a train to take a precious melon to her Obachama (grandmother), but when she forgets the melon on the train she and Obachama look for it and spend the day cooking, making tea, and sharing stories."--
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Mai and the Missing Melon is an exploration of Japanese food, culture, and history that celebrates the special relationship between a child, her grandmother, and the power of kindness. Perfect for kids aged 3-7, this delightful tale is penned by Sonoko Sakai, the author of Japanese Home Cooking.
This charming story invites readers on a journey through rural 1960s Japan. Follow a little girl named Mai as she travels on the Enoden train, passing by oceanside vistas filled with fishers, en route to her grandmother's classic, shrine-like home—known affectionately as obachama.
Loosely based on an event from Sonoko's childhood, Mai's adventure begins with her wish to share a sweet muskmelon with her obachama. However, the melon is lost on the train. Obachama reassures Mai by sharing the Japanese folktale of The Stone Buddhas, highlighting the power of good intentions.
As the story unfolds, Mai learns from the train station master that the melon has been recovered. She and her obachama finally enjoy the sweet muskmelon together.
This endearing narrative explores the cherished bond between a young girl and her grandmother—two great friends despite the age gap. The expressive artwork beautifully transports readers through the landscapes of Japanese countryside, sea, bamboo forests, and temples, all inspired by the author's own childhood memories.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781645471240
Publisher: Shambhala Publications Inc
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 24 October 2023
Country: United States
Imprint: Shambhala Publications Inc
Illustration: YES
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Keiko Brodeur
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 9.0mm
Width: 237.0mm
Height: 274.0mm
Weight: 442g
Pages: 32
About the Author
SONOKO SAKAI was born in New York and raised by Japanese parents. She lived in many places as a child, including San Francisco, Kamakura, Mexico City, and Tokyo. She is the author of Rice Craft (Chronicle, 2016)and Japanese Home Cooking (Shambhala, 2019). She has worked as a recipe developer, producer, creative director, cooking teacher, and lecturer. She is also a grain activist. Sonoko currently lives in Los Angeles and Tehachapi, California, with her sculptor husband, Katsuhisa Sakai. KEIKO BRODEUR began making illustrated paper goods under the name Small Adventure in 2009 in order to explore being a self-taught illustrator after having graduated with a graphic design degree and working in a few different fields. She soon fell in love with creating illustrations for greeting cards and other products for her own small business. After several years of printing and shipping all her orders, both retail and wholesale, from home, she finally found a new home for her business in 2015 and moved into a lovely studio space in Los Angeles where all product is packed and shipped with the help of friends.
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