Miso Magic

by Moni Ritchie Hadley, Mizuho Fujisawa (Illustrator)

Overview

A young girl learns that good things can take time as her father teaches her about an important Japanese cultural tradition.

When the first snowfall of the year reaches the foot of the nearby mountain, Chiyoko wants nothing more than to go there with Papa and build a snowman. But Papa has other plans—there’s miso to be made. Papa, Papa’s papa, and Papa’s papa’s papa were all miso makers, and Chiyoko is proud to learn about her family’s tradition. But miso making  is a long process, and the snow isn’t going to last forever. To make something truly special with her Papa, Chiyoko will need the most important ingredient: patience.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807551875
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	09/05/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Moni Ritchie Hadley is the author of Anzu and the Art of Friendship and The Star Festival. After attending UCLA and enjoying a career as a home/hospital teacher, Moni pursued her dream of becoming a writer. She is the founder of the Write Kidlit Now! scholarship, and lives in Los Angeles with her family and four furry writing buddies.

Mizuho Fujisawa was born and raised in Japan near Mount Fuji. After studying biology, she moved to France with her family to pursue a career in illustration. She lives in France.

Editorial Reviews

This is a charming story of a father and child focused on a multigenerational cultural tradition, with a lesson on patience folded in.” —Kirkus 

From the Publisher

2024-05-31
Young Chiyoko learns that some things are worth waiting for while working with Papa to make Japanese miso.

Waking up to the first snowfall of the year, Chiyoko wants to build a snowman, but Papa says there’s no time. Today, they’ll be going to the misogura, a wooden barn, to learn the family business of making miso. Throughout the day, Chiyoko and Papa clean the tubs, cook rice, sprinkle powder to make kōji mold, and wait. Papa always says that magic takes time, but Chiyoko would rather make snowmen than wait for the miso. At one point, a restless Chiyoko plays with the rice, but patient Papa reminds Chiyoko to be respectful of it. He shares how miso-making is a long-standing family tradition that he’s passing down to Chiyoko. Finally, by embracing this gift, Chiyoko finds happiness in hard work and delicious outcomes. This is a charming story of a father and child focused on a multigenerational cultural tradition, with a lesson on patience folded in. Hadley balances storytelling with some science and culinary details. The beautiful full-color illustrations evoke warmth, transporting readers into the Japanese mountainside misogura. Backmatter adds context, including a glossary with Japanese characters, information on the molding process, and a recipe for miso soup.

A sweet combination of tradition, family, and culinary arts.(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews