HOT OFF THE MOMO STREET PRESS
Launched on March 4, 2025
Gohan Is a Work of Art
“Konnichiwa!” said the chef to customers in line.
Gohan sat up straight and smiled.
Was this his time to shine?
WRITTEN BY MELISSA SAKAMOTO - ILLUSTRATED BY TAMMY DO
Gohan is a plain onigiri who excitedly waits to be chosen by a customer. But when only the fancy onigiri with tasty toppings are chosen, Gohan decides it’s time to make a change. There’s just one problem: no matter what toppings he adds to himself, nothing feels quite right. Nothing, this is, until his rice paddle pal Paddy, takes Gohan on an adventure through Japan’s charming cherry blossom season. Can Gohan learn the value of just being himself before it’s too late? Enriched with lively rhymes and vibrant illustrations, little readers can learn elements of Japanese language and culture through Gohan’s heartwarming journey of self-acceptance.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: TAMMY DO
Tammy Do is a children's book illustrator originally from Vietnam and currently based in California. Her artistic style is whimsical, playful, and colorful. She loves creating imaginative characters that are relatable and full of personality. Tammy believes that art has the power to change the world, one picture at a time, and she is honored to be a part of this magical journey.
“I totally get how challenging it is to create a multilingual and multicultural environment for kids. I didn’t want to pressure my kids into speaking or learning new languages and cultures, but rather, I wanted them to have exposure sprinkled in an activity they already enjoy. This book creates multilingual and multicultural discovery for grown ups and little readers through a special shared moment of reading together.”
FROM THE AUTHOR: MELISSA SAKAMOTO
FROM OUR READERS
“Gohan Is a Work of Art is simply gorgeous! We’re a bi-lingual household and I’m so happy to have found a book that is not only educational but has a sweet message. The illustrations are stunning too!”
- Michelle KB.
“The illustrations and rhymes are so cute and fun!”
- Takahiro K.
“What made Gohan Is a Work of Art so interesting is that it mixes a lot of Japanese words into English poetry. Since Japanese has very different rules of tone and inflection than English and other European languages, I really appreciated how it flowed in the overall poetry.”
- Tamara R.