Mochi Queen

Thank you Cutchogue East Elementary School for the warm and wonderful welcome! I spoke with the 2nd and 3rd graders about being a writer, Jasmine Toguchi, mochi, and dreaming big! I loved the origami pals the students made from the activity in Super Sleuth. The students were enthusiastic and attentive, and I enjoyed having lunch… Read more »

I had an absolutely wonderful time celebrating Girl’s Day at Newtonville Books on Saturday, March 3.  Girl’s Day or Hinamatsuri (doll festival) is a Japanese celebration honoring girls. My mom and me on Girl’s Day with the traditional set of dolls representing the Imperial Court Thank you to the amazing staff – Deb, Margaret, Guna,… Read more »

Here are some fun Jasmine Toguchi activities you can do with your kids and students! Click on the image for a free download. I’d love to see what your readers come up with. Please share on social media with #JasmineToguchiBooks. Thank you and enjoy! Jasmine Toguchi: Paper Dolls   Jasmine Toguchi: Mochi Recipe   Jasmine… Read more »

Thank you to everyone for making launch week for Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen and Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth amazing and wonderful! It lifted my heart to get your notes and social media boosts, and I loved seeing so many familiar faces at my launch party at Bank Square Books last week! Thank you! I’ve also… Read more »

Today is my book birthday! The culmination of 17 years of writing, revising, learning, growing, accumulating rejections, and writing again. I talk more about this dream come true on Emu’s Debuts, the blog for The Erin Murphy Literary Agency’s debut authors. There are so many people I want to thank, because without them, I would… Read more »

  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… Read more »

In Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen, 8-year-old Jasmine wants to participate in the family tradition of making mochi or mochi-tsuki, but family rule says she must be 10 to help roll mochi with the women. Jasmine is determined to join in. She comes up with a plan to help not the women, but the men, and she wants… Read more »

Wow! Time does fly. In less than three months, my debut chapter book series, Jasmine Toguchi will launch with the first two books: Mochi Queen and Super Sleuth!   I’m thrilled and honored to share that Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild Fall 2017 selection! This has been a… Read more »

I’m super excited to finally be able to share the cover of book 1 of the Jasmine Toguchi series, Mochi Queen! Ready or not, here it is! Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen (FSG/July 11, 2017) Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is a flamingo fan, tree climber, and top-notch mess-maker! She’s also tired of her big sister, Sophie, always… Read more »

Originally posted on Emu’s Debuts on October 22, 2015 …learning how to endure your disappointment and frustration is part of the job of a creative person. — BIG MAGIC, Elizabeth Gilbert   Like many writers, I have been writing stories since childhood. I have always been passionate about stories. I first decided to write fiction… Read more »