A fine-tuned depiction of empathy and cultural identity development. Celebrating Japanese culture, this is a heartwarming family story for independent readers. — School Library Journal

“A nuanced, fresh take on the trying-new-foods trope. This loving multiracial, bilingual, and multigenerational family reflects many children’s lived experience, and Iwai’s illustrations reinforce the story’s sense of empathy and acceptance.” — Horn Book Magazine

Melissa Iwai is a children's book author and illustrator who incorporates both traditional and digital media into her art. Her picture books include Dumplings for Lili, Soup Day, Pizza Day, Chanukah Lights Everywhere, My Snow Globe, Let’s Go to the Hardware Store, Thirty Minutes Over Oregon, and many more! She is also the author and illustrator of the Geisel Honor I Can Read series Gigi and Ojiji. When she's not working, Melissa loves to cook and develop her own recipes. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son.