Jasmine Toguchi: Flamingo Keeper by Debbi Michiko Florence, illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic, 112 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2018. $6.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
A package comes in the mail for Jasmine and her older sister from their grandma in Japan. The package contains a daruma, a small doll that is missing pupils in it’s eyes, and they learn from their parents that they should color in one eye when they make a wish and the second when the wish comes true. Jasmine makes a wish to have a pet flamingo, her favorite animal. Her wish doesn’t come true exactly, but through the kindness of her sister, she does feel satisfied with the results.
This is a fast book for ages 6-8 readers. While the story is simple, I liked that it included some multicultural experiences through words in a different language (Japanese) and descriptions of different foods (Mochi). This book is written in first person and I think it makes Jasmine relatable and easy to connect with.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
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