The Perfect Sushi - Emily Satoko Seo - ★★★★★

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AUTHOR: Emily Satoko Seo

ILLUSTRATOR: Mique Moriuchi
GENRE: Children's Picture book.
RATING: 5 Stars.

In a Nutshell: A book made with and full of ‘kokoro’ (heart.) Loved it!!

Little Miko likes everything to be perfect. For her grandmother’s upcoming birthday, Miko decides that she will make for her the perfect sushi. Unfortunately, even after multiple attempts, Miko’s sushi is lopsided. Even asking her grandpa for helps didn’t yield perfect results. When Miko stomps away angrily, she hears a sound… Following the sound leads her to the most perfect sushi ever! This would be great for grandma, right?

I simply adored this book. Right from its story to its message to its illustrations, it got full marks on every aspect.

Miko is an adorable little girl, though she does lose her cool “like a rice cooker’ at times. Her love for her grandparents and her passion for perfection come out clearly in the story. She will win your heart for sure.

When the author and the illustrator both are of Japanese origin, we can be assured that the cultural depiction is authentic. From the little rituals to the modes of address, the book nails it on cultural accuracy. There are some Japanese words in the text, but not to worry – there’s a glossary at the end.

The writing is very intelligent, with Japanese elements making regular but not forced appearances in the content. Even food references are worked into the story without making them seem out of place. If you think about what Japan is most known for, it is technology, and even this angle makes an appearance in the book. How? I shall not tell you!

I was initially unsure of the artwork but as the story progressed, I realised how wonderfully it worked for the story. Every page is not just vibrant but filled with Japanese motifs. What adds to the fun is the onomatopoeic sound effects accompanying certain actions. This will make the book so much fun for readalouds with an expressive reader-narrator at the helm.

I also enjoyed reading the author’s note and the illustrator’s note for this one. If this is a new trend in children’s picture books, I am all for it. I love hearing the thoughts that lead to the creation of books.

Don’t assume this to be a book for sushi lovers. (I am not one!) The story highlights how the quest for perfection sometimes kills the simpler joys of life, and how there’s beauty even in things that might not appear externally perfect. After all, things made with the heart are always better.

Of course if you are a sushi lover, you will adore this story and also appreciate the recipe for Miko’s sushi provided at the end.

Recommended to every little reader aged 4-9 years. This will work at homes, schools as well as libraries. The message might be a common one for this genre, but the mode of delivery is amazing. 

5 imperfectly perfect stars for this delightful read.

My thanks to Barefoot Books and Edelweiss+ for the DRC of “The Perfect Sushi”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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