Melissa Iwai

Gigi and Ojiji: "Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review) "The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child,...

A Geisel Honor–winning series! A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best! Join Gigi as she tries natto, a traditional Japanese food, in this exciting and engaging Level Three I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator Melissa Iwai. Intergenerational relationships, Japanese culture, and social and emotional learning are highlighted in this sweet biracial story, perfect for sharing with...

"A cheery, gentle lesson on the importance of 'practice makes perfect.'" — School Library Journal (starred review) A Geisel Honor-winning series! Gigi and Ojiji: Perfect Paper Cranes is a delightful tale where Gigi eagerly anticipates the Japan Day Festival. When Ojiji volunteers at the origami booth, Gigi is thrilled at the chance to make a paper crane like Ojiji's. However,...

Transform any party into a fun-filled, hands-on celebration! Featuring ten birthday themes and more than 70 unique recipes and activities, this DIY guide is the perfect gift for families—and is guaranteed to make a child's next birthday one they'll always remember. Make birthday memories that will last a lifetime! There's nothing quite as special as creating your very own birthday...

Lili loves to cook baos, and Nai Nai has taught her all the secrets to making them, from kneading the dough lovingly and firmly to being thankful for the strong and healthy ingredients in the filling. But when Nai Nai realises that they are out of cabbage (Secret #8: line the basket with cabbage leaves!), she sends Lili up to...

Lili's apartment building is having a block party! Lili heads down to the garden to get Nai Nai green onions for her fried rice recipe. There, she's visited by all the grandmas in the building, who stop by to get ingredients for their block party dishes, bring scraps for Mr. Nibbles, the building's composter, and show Lili the secrets to...