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Mai and the Missing Melon

By Sonoko Sakai
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Mai and the Missing Melon by Sonoko Sakai is a delightful children's story that follows young Mai as she embarks on a mission to find her family's prized melon, which has mysteriously disappeared. Set in a charming and colourful village, the adventure unfolds with Mai using her wit and determination to solve the mystery, meeting engaging characters along the way. This heartwarming tale blends friendship, problem-solving, and a love of nature, captivating young readers with its whimsical charm.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this delightful children's book if you're looking for a fun and engaging story that takes readers on an exciting adventure. With its charming plot and colourful illustrations, it serves as a captivating journey filled with friendship and mystery, making it a great choice for young readers who love a mix of fun and mystery.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

"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

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Penguin Books Sonoko Sakai Young Adult

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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