Jasmine Toguchi

She’s baaaaack! Jasmine Toguchi is back in a new set of chapter books and this time she and her family are going on vacation to Japan! Book 5 will be published on October 18, 2022. Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer by Debbi Michiko Florence Illustrations by Elizabet Vuković Farrar Straus Giroux/Macmillan Toothbrush? Check. Her special journal?… Read more »

I’m thrilled to share the cover of Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer, book 5 in the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series. Many thanks to Team Toguchi at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, editor Grace Kendall, illustrator Elizabet Vukovic, designer Angela Jun, and always to my agent Tricia Lawrence! Look for this book on September… Read more »

Thrilled that Jasmine Toguchi is on this list of amazing Asian American books!

It’s been a busy few weeks and I hope to have my quarterly newsletter out on time next month. In the meantime here are a few things I’ve been up to. As part of the #KidsNeedMentors program, I partnered with teacher Jane Chalifoux and her third grade students at Mills Pond Elementary. After a year… Read more »

In January, I had the fabulous experience of spending a week visiting the Singapore American School where Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen won the student-voted Big Splash Award! There, I spoke to 1,800 K-5th graders about Jasmine Toguchi, and I ran writing workshops on character development for 2nd-4th graders. I had a blast! The kindergarteners, with the help… Read more »

If you’ve read Jasmine Toguchi Flamingo Keeper, you know that Jasmine and her sister Sophie receive daruma as gifts from Obaachan, their grandma in Japan. Daruma are wishing dolls. You make a wish and color in one eye of the doll, and when the wish comes true, you color in the other eye! My husband… Read more »

I had a wonderful time at the Morristown Festival Books as a presenting author of KidFest! Big thanks for the invitation and to the staff and volunteers who made it possible for book-lovers and readers to gather with authors and illustrators. Here are some of my highlights: John Kerry and me! William Kent Krueger, Carol… Read more »

Looking for fun, kid-friendly, readerly treats to share for Halloween? Check out Trick or Treaters for a bagful of spooky and not-so-spooky fun! (art by Kevin Atteberry) Look for Jasmine Toguchi and a story to snatch, along with a daruma fun craft to download and share! Click on illustration below. Art by the fabulous Elizabeth… Read more »

Oh what a fabulous event at the Los Angeles Zoo! Many thanks to Robin Savoian, Associate Director Development, Safari Society for coordinating a truly spectacular morning. Thanks also to the staff, keepers (particularly senior keeper, Rose Legato), volunteers, and all the people who came out for the event! The morning started off with a delicious… Read more »

I recently had the pleasure of being a part of two fabulous book festivals! A true joy to be around swarms of people who love books and reading! DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL Recently, I was at the Decatur Book Festival in Georgia. The “largest independent book festival in the country,” there were booths, food, displays, and… Read more »