With more than 150,000 copies sold, the award-winning Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series starring a spunky Japanese American heroine returns with four new standalone books set on a family vacation in Japan! Eight-year-old Jasmine and her family travel to Hiroshima to visit her grandma and cousin Akari. After finally building a good relationship with her older sister, Sophie, Jasmine couldn't be more excited to spend time together in Japan -- and make a new friend in Akari. But Akari seems to only want to play with Sophie, and Jasmine's jealousy threatens to upend their visit. Can Jasmine befriend Akari and keep the peace? With humor and warmth, Debbi Michiko Florence tells a relatable story of new experiences, family drama, and kindness at every corner. Paired with Elizabet Vukovic's playful illustrations, readers can't help but root for Jasmine as you explore Japan alongside her.
Debbi Michiko Florence Books
This author crafts compelling narratives for young readers, often exploring themes of identity and belonging through the lens of Japanese American experiences across generations. Their writing style is engaging and accessible, bringing to life relatable characters navigating family, culture, and self-discovery. The stories are characterized by a warm voice and a keen understanding of childhood challenges and triumphs. These books offer a blend of humor and heart, celebrating heritage while encouraging personal growth.






What do you do with a gentle Great Dane who's the size of a cow but acts like he's no bigger than a mini dachshund? If you're eight-year-old Kaita Takano and her animal-fostering family, you shower the dog with love and do everything you can to find him a forever home. Sweet-natured illustrations and Kaita's first-person narration pair up for plenty of chapter book fun.
Dorothy and her dog, Toto, go on a picnic but are puzzled when their food goes missing.
With more than 130,000 copies sold, this award-winning chapter-book series starring a spunky Japanese American heroine returns with four new standalone books set on a family vacation in Japan! Toothbrush? Check. Her special journal? Check! Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi—flamingo fan, tree climber, and top-notch messmaker—can hardly wait for her family vacation to Japan, and by the time their plane finally touches down, she’s ready to dive into their new adventure. There are so many things to see in Tokyo: Ramen Street, which she learns is not a whole street made of ramen; old temples with fancy gates; and Tokyo Tower, where you can even spot Mount Fuji on a good day. But when they arrive, Jasmine finds herself unable to get away from her older sister Sophie’s crabby attitude. Plus there's so much about Japan she didn't know, and she seems to be getting in trouble right and left. Will Jasmine be able to cheer up her sister AND find her footing in a new country? With her trademark humor and warmth, Debbi Michiko Florence weaves family drama and a fun introduction of Japanese culture into this delightful next chapter in Jasmine's world.
Toby the Dog
- 72 pages
- 3 hours of reading
T is for Toby, tricks and TROUBLE! Toby the black labrador might be an older rescue dog, but he's still got enough mischief beneath his collar to keep eight-year-old Kaita Takano and her animal-fostering family on their toes from morning till night. This playfully illustrated, Kaita-narrated chapter book promises plenty of canine fun.
Jasmine Toguchi, Flamingo Keeper
- 128 pages
- 5 hours of reading
Asmine makes a wish for a pet flamingo on the special daruma doll her grandmother sent from Japan, then sets out to prove herself responsible enough for a pet
Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth
- 108 pages
- 4 hours of reading
The second heartfelt story of friendship and sisterhood in this charming new chapter book series, starring a Japanese-American girl!
Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites
- 40 pages
- 2 hours of reading
Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites is a picture book biography that tells the story of the powerhouse female Japanese-American chef and her rise to fame As a child and adult, Niki faced many naysayers in her pursuit of haute cuisine. Using the structure of a traditional kaiseki meal, the authors Debbi Michiko Florence and Jamie Michalak playfully detail Niki's hunger for success in thirteen "bites" — from wonton wrappers she used to make pizza as a kid to yuzu-tomatillo sauce in her own upscale Los Angeles Michelin-starred restaurant, n/naka. To anyone who tells her a woman can't be a master chef, Niki lets her food do the talking. And oh, does it talk. Niki was featured on the first season of Netflix's culinary documentary series Chef's Table. And Chrissy Teigen proclaimed that Niki's restaurant was one of her absolute favorites. She's currently a featured teacher on MasterClass. A smart, strong woman with starpower, Niki is only just getting started — like the young readers who will devour this book, featuring illustrations by Yuko Jones!
Eight-year-old Kaita Takano has one dog, a miniature dachshund named Ollie. But there's never just one animal in the Takano house. Kaita and her family foster animals rescued by a local animal rescue group. They bring them to medical appointments, teach them manners and tricks, and help the animals find new homes. Kaita loves animals, but sometimes the zoo in her house gets out of control! It can be hard to say goodbye when the animals find forever homes, but Kaita is happy for them and excited to welcome a new foster animal to her family.
Truman the Dog
- 72 pages
- 3 hours of reading
Includes discussion questions, an activity, glossary, and Fact or Fiction section.