Here are a few lists and interviews of me/Jasmine Toguchi:
2023
Book Review on Imaginary Elevators: Tokyo Holiday for Brave Explorer
2022
Author Spotlight Friday – Interview with me about Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer on Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester
Podcast interview on Little Tokyo Talks – In episode 9, Sansei author Debbi Michiko Florence tells us about the inspiration behind the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series as Walter learns more about the importance of diversity and Japanese American representation in children’s literature.
2020
Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen is a nominee for the 2021 Nutmeg Book Award (CT).
2019
Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl – 2019 Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award for Transitional Readers.
Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl – 2018 Cybils Award winner for Early Chapter Books
Interview with me and illustrator Elizabet Vukovic on the Cybils Award blog
Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl – Cooperative Children’s Book Center of the School of Education CCBC Choices 2019 List (Best of the Year)
Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen is on the We Are Kid Lit Collective 2019 Summer Reading List
Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen is a nominee for the Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Book Award
Sweet review by mom and daughter readers: How I Found Our New Favorite Series
2018
Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl and Jasmine Toguchi Flamingo Keeper – the Chicago Public LIbrary’s Best of 2018 List
On Matthew Winner’s The Children’s Book Podcast
A conversation w Jennifer Laughran about chapter books, Jasmine Toguchi, ducks, and more on #Literaticast: Mochi Pounding Madness with Guest Author Debbi Michiko Florence
An interview with me on First Book
Review of Jasmine Toguchi Flamingo Keeper on Imaginary Elevators: When You Wish Upon a Daruma Doll
Review of Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl on Imaginary Elevators: Jasmine Toguchi Stands Up For Girls
Review of Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl on Imaginary Elevators: Jasmine Toguchi: What Was A Talent Anyway?
Review of Jasmine Toguchi Super Sleuth on Imaginary Elevators: Jasmine Toguchi, Girl Detective
Q&A with the Westerly Sun (Rhode Island)
On KidLitExchange: I talk about my inspiration for writing the Jasmine Toguchi series
On Book Riot: Karina Yan Glaser shares her top 20 favorite book releases for April 3, including Drummer Girl!
On Bank Street College’s 2018 Best Children’s Books of the Year
Jasmine Toguchi Flamingo Keeper Book Trailer and Review
On Bridget and the Books: A reader review of Flamingo Keeper
On NPS Station: A reader video review of Flamingo Keeper
Mochi Queen is a 2019 Blue Hen award nominee for the state of DE
Mochi Queen is a 2019 OTTER award nominee for the state of WA
Drummer Girl is a Junior Library Guild 2018 selection!
Drummer Girl is a 2018 Nerdy Book Club Club Award Winner
Drummer Girl is a 2018 Cybils Award Finalist
Flamingo Keeper is a Junior Library Guild 2018 selection!
Mochi Queen is a student-voted Big Splash Gold Medal winner at the Singapore American School
Previous interviews and lists:
On Emu’s Debuts: Interview with Jasmine Toguchi editor, Grace Kendall
On Alphabet Soup: Chatting with Debbi Michiko Florence about Jasmine Toguchi
On Chicago Public Library’s Best Fiction for Younger Readers of 2017
On Amazon’s Best Children’s Books of 2017
On Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books of Kids List (2017)
A 2017 Nerdy Book Club Award Winner
On the 2018 Amelia Bloomer Booklist
On Washington Post: These Books Can Help Build Strong Girls – and Boys – for Today’s World
On Clever Cookstr podcast: Why Mochi is the Perfect Dessert for Kids
On Kirby Larson’s Blog for Friend Friday: 10 Things about Jasmine Toguchi and Me
On Romper: 16 Books For Kids That Challenge Gender Stereotypes and Open Their Minds
On Bridget and the Books: A review for Jasmine Toguchi Super Sleuth
On Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook: new transitional chapter book series
On The Book Wars: Jasmine Toguchi, Chapter Book Star!
On Pragmatic Mom: Recognizing Children’s Books for #AAPIHeritageMonth
On 100 Scope Notes: 1o to Note Summer Preview 2017
On Amazon’s Summer Book Club: New Favorite Series for Kids
On Read Brightly: 17 New Authors of Color Writing Writing Much-Needed Stories for Kids
On Chris Barton’s Blog: an interview with me “I hope I wasn’t the mean cousin Eddie…”
On Flowering Minds, Children’s Book Review Site: Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen plus Interview
On John Valeri’s Blog: Child Culture: Debbi Michiko Florence on Jasmine Toguchi
On Little Crooked Corner: Summer Reading Picks
On KateOnKidsBooks: book review
On Read It Real Good: book review
On Mom Read It: book review
On School Library Journal: SLJ’s June 2017 Popular Picks
On Elizabeth O. Dulemba’s blog: My Journey
And what trade reviews are saying about Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen:
“Florence paints a lovely picture of a warm, extended family whose members truly care about one another and take each other seriously. New readers thirsty for series fiction will look forward to more stories about Jasmine and her family.” –Kirkus Reviews
“Florence introduces readers to a bright character who is grappling with respecting authority while also forging her own path. This first entry nicely balances humor with the challenges of growing up; readers will devour it.” – School Library Journal
“Florence 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.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“…an adorable and heartwarming story about a kid who wants to feel special and do something first for once, along with a nice overview of a Japanese New Year celebration.” – Booklist
“This first in the series handily introduces a plucky, strong-willed girl whose family traditions may be new to many readers but whose frustrations will be familiar to nearly all.” – The Horn Book
“The Toguchi family’s warmth and affection for one another will leave readers eager to spend more time with them.”―Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Plus, I’m thrilled to share that Mochi Queen is a Junior Library Guild selection for September 2017!
Thank you for letting me share my joy and excitement here! Please check out my Visit & Events page for information about my upcoming appearances. If I show up near you, I’d love to meet you!
