Jasmine Toguchi, Bridge Builder

Eight-year-old Japanese-American Jasmine Toguchi and her family travel to the small island village of Kabo, where her grandmother once lived. There she meets her great aunt, and stays in her family home near a quiet beach, surrounded by an orange grove. Although Jasmine is homesick for friends back home and mad at Sophie for being “no fun,” she soon grows to love Kabo after catching bugs with her dad, cooking with her mom, picnicking at the beach, and attending the Obon Festival in her vibrant yukata (summer kimono). In typical Jasmine fashion, she only gets into a little trouble along the way. With her trademark humour, Japanese-American author Debbi Michiko Florence weaves together social-emotional learning topics with exciting new places, family adventure, and cultural appreciation.