The Mochi Makers

by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson

A girl and her grandmother spend the day making mochi together in this gentle and joyous picture book celebrating family, tradition, and the memories that matter most.

Emi and Obaachan are making mochi. It’s a recipe that’s been passed down for generations. Obaachan brought it with her when she first came to America from Japan and now, Emi is about to become her family’s newest mochi maker!

They mix and pound and twist and wrap. The Japanese rice cakes are sticky and chewy, colorful and tasty, and—most importantly—made with love. For Emi and Obaachan, making mochi becomes a way to remember those they’ve lost, make lots of new memories, and have a fun and family-filled day.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Family, Childrens, Aapi, Japan, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 19, 2024

Reviews

[Kelli Panique · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many beautiful layers to this book. It’s like the author-illustrator opened her heart and it spilled onto the page. There’s the wonderful generational relationship but also the acknowledgment of relatives from the past whose shoulders we stand on. It’s a sweet story of cooking and passing down traditions. I could feel the love emanate from these pages. Highly recommend.

[Lorellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book about Japanese treats and the value of tradition. I must admit, I don't think they sound very tasty and that I felt there was enough going on here for one kid's book without touching on grief as well. Tot was fascinated by the cooking.

[Allison Rozo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable and delicious picture book is lovely in every way! From the beautifully simple color palette, to the sweet moments between grandmother and granddaughter, and the message of sharing is love, all sprinkled together like ingredients. It will make you crave mochi, which is perfect because there is a recipe at the back! "It feels as warm and soft as love."

[Steena Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story with adorable art! Filled with traditions, intergenerational love, and delicious mochi. So fun to see how mochi is made, and my kids are excited to try the yummy recipe at the back.

[Ryann Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet story about a cultural tradition being passed down from grandmother to granddaughter. It was so fun to see, what appeared to be, real pictures from Fujimoto-Johnson's ancestors. The lyrical language flowed beautifully with the rest of her illustrations as well. Now I am hungry for mochi! Good thing there is a recipe in the back!

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved seeing the actual photos of the characters’ ancestors in the photo album and the recipe included at the end of the story.

[Regine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully authentic story of making mochi as a family tradition.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emi and Obaachan are making mochi together. They spend the time sharing happy memories of Ojiichan and Emi learning how Obaachan learned how to make mochi. There's a note in the back of the book about mochi making methods and types and a recipe for a savory mochi.

This was a sweet and relatable story of a grandmother and granddaughter baking together and sharing stories. It's a memento to how traditions and family stories are passed down, and a snapshot of a cultural tradition. I love mochi so I was very sad to read this and not have any mochi I could eat too, though the recipe seems pretty approachable using the stand mixer as obaachan does. The book mentions that mochi making is a traditional part of Japanese New Year celebrations but it doesn't seem like it is New Years in the story.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I loved reading about this loving relationship between a young girl and her grandmother and their mochi making traditions that traveled the ocean with love. Illustrations are cute too

[Tori Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, and my kids have asked to read it quite a few times. The concept for the illustrations is meaningful and well executed. The artist used real tea towels that her grandmother had embroidered, real family photographs, heirloom kimono fabric and more to digitally create the illustrations. Although they are digital, which isn't usually my favorite, I found these to still be soft, thoughtful and well-done. Even the small details, such as the house slippers, lent a realism to the story. As far as the writing, it was also brilliant. The story was simple and the subtext strong. This story is about family, about speaking identity over a granddaughter and teaching her about her heritage. It is also, in the subtext, a story about the loss of a beloved grandfather, and moving forward in remembrance. The cherry on top is the recipe and additional info on the last page. Unfortunately, we weren't able to find the proper kind of rice in our local grocery stores, but my kids were very excited to try and make the recipe if we had been able to!

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a yummy book. Grandmother and granddaughter are making their family Mochi recipe. I almost missed the recipe at the back of the book as the last two pages stuck together. They do have a recipe on how to make mochi in the back. It has a very nice write up.

"Mochi is how we pass on our family traditions" and "Mochi is how we say thank you." I appreciated those lines in the story. It seems like any culture in the world, making a family dish seems to be something that brings families together and it's something we can pass down.

There are some real photos in here of someones past family, most likely the authors. It's neat to see them wrapped into the artwork. The artwork is done digitally. I thought it was good artwork. The colors were soft like the environment and it felt cozy, like a family kitchen. I thought the people were well done.

A simple story about cooking. It's good.

Kids who enjoy cooking and grandparents will love this story.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandparent and grandchild picture books are always a delight to read because they show connection and love. This one is a gentle story depicting an aspect of Japanese culture of making mochi which is a sticky rice treat. The text also has text about sharing and how we show love.
The illustrations are done in shades of peach, beige, brown, and black and they portray a sense of calm and peace. The art method used is termed digital collage which I like very much. The author-illustrator states some of the things included in the collage include hand painted papers, family photographs, and kitchen clothes embroidered by her Grandmother. Very nicely done. And I just finished reading her 2025 title, Shell Song and highly recommend it. Looking forward to Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson’s future titles.

[Barb Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emi and Obbachan (her grandma) are making mochi to share with their family and friends as a sign of love and appreciation. The Mochi Makers shows Emi and Obbachan completing the basic steps of making mochi. It also explains the role of mochi in their family traditions, including photos of Obaachan's family and items she has from Japan.

There are some opportunities throughout for making inferences. Fujimoto-Johnson writes, "She says we only need clean hands and whole hearts to make mochi", implying that there is no written recipe. She mentions Ojiichan and sadness a few times, leaving the reader to infer Emi's grandfather died.

The end notes include details about mochi, including a recipe.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because my grandmother was my favorite person in the world (and I was apparently her favorite grandchild), I’m a fan of books featuring warm grandparent-grandchild relationships. The Mochi Makers is a great example of this type of special bond. The book shares a unique view of a Japanese tradition in addition to showing a relationship anyone in any culture can relate to. The illustrations reflect a childlike perspective that works well with the text. There’s also a fun activity in the back for you to make your own mochi! Such a delightful book for readers of any age.

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous picture book with a sweet family story about passing on traditions and memories. I love that the illustrations incorporate family scrapbooks and fabrics. Cooking and baking with grandparents and hearing family stories--a universal experience!

This would be perfect to share with a group of kids and their grownups, followed by an activity where we try making mochi using the author's recipe included in the back matter.

"Don't worry if your mochi isn't perfect. Just like Obaachan says, you only need clean hands and whole hearts to make mochi!"

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Japanese American girl, Emi, is making mochi with Obaachan (Grandmother). Emi recalls how Obaachan immigrated to America from Japan a long time ago while bringing her own mochi recipe passed down to her from her mother and grandmother. Now Emi sits with Obaachan learning that same recipe.

This is a sweet story of a young girl and her grandmother bonding over their heritage and tradition while also remembering memories of Ojiichan (Grandfather). I absolutely love mochi and just might give the recipe in the back of the book a try.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandma and her granddaughter make a special dish called Mochi each with something traditional like steaming rice balls inside like bean paste, powdered sugar, nutty soybean powder as is done in Grandmother's home country of Japan. She crossed the ocean with the family recipe to share with her new family and husband. Tradition and togetherness and sharing the results with family and neighbor. Recipes included with the author's note.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This absolutely stunning picture book is about a grandmother and her grandmother making mochi together and sharing memories of those who taught the grandmother her skills.

This is a first purchase for any program serving young children. It will be loved by those who love stories of family, stories with recipes, and stories of grandparents with their grandchildren. I am certain this one will be a new favorite in my two elementary school collections.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You are a mochi maker. Someday you'll teach your children and grandchildren how to make mochi too...Mochi is how we pass on our family traditions...Mochi is how we say thank you."

Sweet story of a young girl and her grandmother, making mochi together in the kitchen. Check out the back of the book that includes an author note and mochi recipe.

Themes: culture (Japan), food, family
Ages: 1-3rd grade
Pub year: 2024

[Becca McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely unique and precious, and will make you want to run to the closest place where you can purchase mochi. Luckily, I live in NYC and have options nearby. Yum! The detailed account of a a young girl spending the day making the sweet treat with her grandmother was soothing and joyful. The illustrations are a sight to behold, too! Enjoy this one.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE picture books that focus on interpersonal relationships. Mochi Makers highlights not only the process of making mochi, but also its cultural significance and connection to the author and main character's family. This was a quick read, but calming and relaxing and includes a fun mochi recipe as back matter.

[Andi Chitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book that follows a child and her grandmother making mochi. My kids enjoyed it, and at the end my 5yo declared she wants to make mochi, as well! Thank goodness there's a recipe at the back of the book, so excited to try our hands at it!

[Karyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of family love and the ties that bind us. Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson's words and illustrations are transportive - I was in the kitchen and loving every moment. Children will love this book . . . and mochi too.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dimensional story about immigration, family and cultural traditions, grandparents, cooking, and sharing.

Themes: immigration, grandparents, grief/loss, tradition, cooking
Age range: Preschool-Early Elementary

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this trend of picture books that highlight grandparents sharing food traditions with their grandchildren. This new picture book is a perfect exemplar. The illustrations are warm, cozy and pinkish -- they feel like home.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightfully tasty picture book with heart and tradition. I love it when I learn something new from picture books! The grandchild grandmother relationship was sweet and the sense of community just right.

[Kelly]

I think I'm in a good mood today. Lots of great reviews!

What a great idea for a book! Mochi scares me because it's apparently easy to choke on, but I think it's great to show kids another culture. I'm used to the sweet mochi, so it was interesting to read about savory mochi, too.

[Gina Soldano-Herrle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story interweaving the family legacy within an afternoon spent making mochi together. I LOVED this book, and my son asked me immediately if we could go get some mochi after finishing the story together. :)

[Cynthia Leavitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oldest daughter LOVES mochi which is what drew me to your story. I was very surprised with the process to make them; but felt the love passed down each generation to the new mochi maker. A heart-felt book!!

[Latifah S Ningrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book to introduce mochi and how to make it through the interaction between Obachan and a little girl named Emi. This book is quite different from the usual because it also includes a family tree photo.