Miko likes things to be perfect. When she makes lopsided sushi for her grandmother's birthday, she replaces it with perfectly formed sushi created by a restaurant robot. Upon delivering her gift, Miko discovers that kokoro (heart) ? not impeccability ? is the key ingredient to the perfect present. Sprinkled with engaging onomatopoeia, this unique title is infused with Japanese culture and delivers a universal message about the value of intention. A do-it-yourself sushi recipe is included. AGES: 4 to 9 AUTHOR: Emily Satoko Seo, a Japanese Canadian chemist turned children's book author, writes about food, culture, science and nature. She currently lives in Vancouver, Canada with her husband and two young children and enjoys making homemade sushi with her family. Emily has also written The Science of Boys and Our World: Japan. Mique Moriuchi spent her most memorable childhood years in Japan between the ages of seven and ten. Mique currently works as a primary school librarian, children's book illustrator and occasional lopsided sushi maker with her partner and their two children in Bedford, UK. Her illustrations are created by hand, using collage and acrylic paint. SELLING POINTS: . Provides a lovely kid's-eye-view of key aspects of modern Japanese culture: superb presentation, onomatopoeia, and technology . Reinforces the idea that intention and effort are more important than perfection - and that technology cannot replace the human heart and spirit . The featured relationships in the story are those between a child and her grandparents . Written by a Japanese Canadian author and illustrated by a Japanese English artist whose grandfather was a master chef in Tokyo . Chic, endearing collage illustrations add charm and visual appeal . Includes an easy-to-follow recipe for sushi
