Gigi and Ojiji: Food for Thought

Iwai, Melissa

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HarperCollins

Just the Series: I Can Read! Level 3: Gigi and Ojiji

Series and Publisher: I Can Read! Level 3: Gigi and Ojiji

Annotation: "Gigi tries natto, a traditional Japanese food. But will she like it as much as peanut butter?"--Back cover.

Genre: [Realistic fiction]

Reviews: 1

Catalog Number: #372483

Format: Perma-Bound Edition

Publisher: HarperCollins

Edition Date: 2023 Release Date: 09/05/23

Pages: 32 pages

ISBN: Publisher: 0-06-320811-3 Perma-Bound: 0-8000-4374-X

ISBN 13: Publisher: 978-0-06-320811-7 Perma-Bound: 978-0-8000-4374-2

Dewey: E

Dimensions: 24 cm.

Subject Heading:
Japanese Americans. Juvenile fiction.
Natto. Juvenile fiction.
Food. Juvenile fiction.
Families. Juvenile fiction.
Japanese Americans. Fiction.
Natto. Fiction.
Food. Fiction.
Families. Fiction.

Language: English

Reviews:

School Library Journal (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

K-Gr 3— One morning, Gigi rises early to make her favorite peanut butter breakfast for her family. However, she is stunned when her Japanese grandpa, Ojiji, expresses gratitude but neglects to eat it. Her mother suggests that maybe Ojiji doesn't like peanut butter. Gigi is surprised: How can anyone dislike peanut butter? She wants to give Ojiji something he likes, so the next morning her mother makes a traditional Japanese breakfast of pickles, salmon, rice, miso soup, and natto (soybeans). But as Gigi takes a bite of natto, she realizes she doesn't like it. With kindness to her grandfather, Gigi is brave—she tries it again when her mother adds it to pancakes. But she still doesn't like it! In this endearing tale, Gigi learns firsthand that not everyone likes what she likes. Ojiji, originally from Japan, prefers traditional Japanese fare. Through both pictures and narrative, this story demonstrates empathy. The illustrations, presented in a muted primary color palette, show the warmth and love between family members as Gigi and Ojiji share the foods they love and the understanding that it's okay not to love everything. This early reader also presents acculturation themes, with Gigi enjoying the tastes of a traditional American childhood, but also learning the foods of her family's culture. Back matter includes an offering of Japanese vocabulary words. VERDICT A fine-tuned depiction of empathy and cultural identity development. Celebrating Japanese culture, this is a heartwarming family story for independent readers.— Jennifer Strattman

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School Library Journal (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Word Count: 512

Reading Level: 2.0

Interest Level: 1-4

Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.0 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 523407 / grade: Lower Grades

A Geisel Honor–winning series!

A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best!

Join Gigi as she tries natto, a traditional Japanese food, in this exciting and engaging Level Three I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator Melissa Iwai. Intergenerational relationships, Japanese culture, and social and emotional learning are highlighted in this sweet biracial story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6.

Ohayo! It’s breakfast time and Gigi can’t wait to make her favorite meal—Peanut Butter Toast. Yummy! But Ojiji doesn’t like peanut butter. How can anyone NOT like peanut butter? Ojiji prefers Japanese foods—like natto, made from fermented soybeans. Will Gigi learn to love a new breakfast treat? This story highlights the close relationship of Gigi and her grandfather and the importance of trying new things!

This exciting and engaging I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.

Gigi and Ojij: Food for Thought is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions.

Praise for Gigi and Ojiji:

"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)

"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —Booklist (starred review)

"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —Kirkus

A 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor title

El día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023

ALSC Notable 2023

CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category (2023)

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