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Yoshi's Feast
When Yoshi's neighbor, Sabu, the eel broiler, attempts to charge him for the delicious smelling aromas he has been enjoying, Yoshi hatches a plan to enrich them both.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published March 1, 2000
56 people want to read
About the author
Kimiko Kajikawa
5 books10 followersKimiko's true love of reading and writing began one day at her local library. Kimiko says, "My local librarian asked me if I had ever read Harriet the Spy. She said that it was a great book, and I immediately took it home. I read the entire book that day! I was so disappointed when it ended that I reread it immediately. I had to find a way to keep the spirit of Harriet the Spy alive with me, so I began to keep a journal. And spy on people. I did not follow anyone, but I would try to pick up what people were saying, and I would study their mannerisms. I think Harriet the Spy was the book that got me to write because I really started to look at the world and put down what I saw on paper."
By fifth grade, Kimiko won an essay contest sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her essay was about Abraham Lincoln and her victory earned her $3. At that moment, Kimiko concluded that, "Writing was a great way to make a living."
Kimiko won another writing contest when she was twelve, and this time she got to spend a day at the Bucks County Courier Times writing her own column. "I loved it. They took me around and introduced me to all the people that put the newspaper together. I felt like somebody special until they ran my photo in the paper. I was horrified that everyone at school would see it. I looked so nerdy!"
In high school, Kimiko was published in Seventeen Magazine. She was also the assistant editor and columnist for her high school newspaper. "At that point," Kimiko says, "I told my parents that I wanted to become a writer. My parents were unhappy with my decision. They told me that I should become a businesswoman instead."
Kimiko's mom is Japanese and her dad is American. Her parents met after World War II. They didn't even speak the same language when they were married.
Her mom was born in Tokyo in 1929. In an essay that Kimiko wrote when she was in eighth grade, she said, "There are no pictures of my mother when she was a child because they were all burned during the war. My mother was eleven years old when World War II started. During the war, she sometimes only had toothpaste to eat. And she would often see burned bodies on the side of the road. All the bodies were black, she would say, except for the teeth."
During the war, Kimiko's mother lost nine relatives in one day during the bombing of Hiroshima. Soon after the war, Kimiko's grandmother died of cancer. The very next day, her aunt fell from a train and died from head injuries. Kimiko says, "My mom's life is filled with tragic stories that she rarely tells."
"In fact, my family has been the inspiration for most of my books. I credit my son, Chris, for starting my career as an author. When he was little, he fell in love with trains. What Chris wanted most in the world was a book with photographs of steam trains for young children. Fortunately, for me, that book didn't exist. After two years of searching, I decided to write and photograph the book that Chris so desperately wanted to read."
According to Kimiko, "Working on my books has helped me make sense of my life and helped me deal with the pain of growing up Eurasian. There were children in my neighborhood who wouldn't play with me when I was a kid. Some of them threw rocks at me and called me, "slanty eyes." Having grown up wishing I looked like most everyone else, I understand how important it is to give children an awareness and appreciation of our external differences and a realization that, underneath it all, we are very much the same. I feel that through teaching children to respect others we give them something even more important: self-respect."
"For several years, I have truly enjoyed reading old Japanese folklore and adapting those stories for an American audience. This is very therapeutic work for me. When I was little, I would go to sleep and wish that I would wake up looking like all the other kids. Now, I take pride in my heritage. Writing books has helped me grow as a person. I
By fifth grade, Kimiko won an essay contest sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her essay was about Abraham Lincoln and her victory earned her $3. At that moment, Kimiko concluded that, "Writing was a great way to make a living."
Kimiko won another writing contest when she was twelve, and this time she got to spend a day at the Bucks County Courier Times writing her own column. "I loved it. They took me around and introduced me to all the people that put the newspaper together. I felt like somebody special until they ran my photo in the paper. I was horrified that everyone at school would see it. I looked so nerdy!"
In high school, Kimiko was published in Seventeen Magazine. She was also the assistant editor and columnist for her high school newspaper. "At that point," Kimiko says, "I told my parents that I wanted to become a writer. My parents were unhappy with my decision. They told me that I should become a businesswoman instead."
Kimiko's mom is Japanese and her dad is American. Her parents met after World War II. They didn't even speak the same language when they were married.
Her mom was born in Tokyo in 1929. In an essay that Kimiko wrote when she was in eighth grade, she said, "There are no pictures of my mother when she was a child because they were all burned during the war. My mother was eleven years old when World War II started. During the war, she sometimes only had toothpaste to eat. And she would often see burned bodies on the side of the road. All the bodies were black, she would say, except for the teeth."
During the war, Kimiko's mother lost nine relatives in one day during the bombing of Hiroshima. Soon after the war, Kimiko's grandmother died of cancer. The very next day, her aunt fell from a train and died from head injuries. Kimiko says, "My mom's life is filled with tragic stories that she rarely tells."
"In fact, my family has been the inspiration for most of my books. I credit my son, Chris, for starting my career as an author. When he was little, he fell in love with trains. What Chris wanted most in the world was a book with photographs of steam trains for young children. Fortunately, for me, that book didn't exist. After two years of searching, I decided to write and photograph the book that Chris so desperately wanted to read."
According to Kimiko, "Working on my books has helped me make sense of my life and helped me deal with the pain of growing up Eurasian. There were children in my neighborhood who wouldn't play with me when I was a kid. Some of them threw rocks at me and called me, "slanty eyes." Having grown up wishing I looked like most everyone else, I understand how important it is to give children an awareness and appreciation of our external differences and a realization that, underneath it all, we are very much the same. I feel that through teaching children to respect others we give them something even more important: self-respect."
"For several years, I have truly enjoyed reading old Japanese folklore and adapting those stories for an American audience. This is very therapeutic work for me. When I was little, I would go to sleep and wish that I would wake up looking like all the other kids. Now, I take pride in my heritage. Writing books has helped me grow as a person. I
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 22, 2013
Wonderful retelling of a Japanese folktale with beautiful intricate illustrations. Made me laugh. Definitely a keeper.
November 24, 2021
Yoshi’s Feast by Kimiko Kajikawa (goodreads author), Illustrator Yumi Hio- Children’s illustrated colour picture book- Japanese folktale- The is about two neibhbours first, Yoshi and second his neighbor Sabu who is an eel broiler. Yoshi is stingy. He smells the broiled eel and eats his rice cooked by him. Yashi stores his money in a box. The problem with Sabu is that he resides at a place which is far away from the local market and so much people do not visit his shop to purchase broiled eels. One day Yoshi informs Sabu that he enjoys the smell of broiled eels. He smells but he does not pay money to Sabu. Next day Sabu broils a bad smelling fish. Yoshi cannot take the foul smell. He understands their mutual problem. Yoshi hatches a plan to enrich them both. When Sabu broils eels, Yoshi comes with his box of money and dances on the tune of music of coins. People come to view the dance and buy broiled eels. Sabu is happy with the income. He takes broiled eels to Yoshi’s house. Both eat their meal together. Message Friendship first. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story.
May 6, 2021
Illustrated by Yumi Heo, Adapted from the Japanese folktale "Smells and Jingles".
I like the folktale as retold. The book can be enjoyed with PS-2 grade children as is or acted out, although the story raises many interesting questions or situations that would make good discussion items.
Reading age : 4 - 8 years
Lexile measure : AD540L
Grade level : Preschool - 2
I like the folktale as retold. The book can be enjoyed with PS-2 grade children as is or acted out, although the story raises many interesting questions or situations that would make good discussion items.
Reading age : 4 - 8 years
Lexile measure : AD540L
Grade level : Preschool - 2
November 17, 2021
After finishing the story, I was not surprised to learn that this story was adopted from a Japanese story. It was fun to see some of the story telling style and elements that are used more in Japan in a book for English speaking children. I loved how the author incorporated some Japanese words into the story without having to explain their meaning - and yet make the meaning clear from context. I also enjoyed the art style as well.
November 8, 2017
Great way to solve the problem of two bickering neighbors. Beautiful illustrations.
March 1, 2018
A funny story of two stubborn neighbours and how they worked out a compromise.
February 7, 2019
Great illustrations full of color and liveliness! Fun story with a good message!
February 12, 2020
Beautiful pictures, engaging story about two competing business owners in Japan. Funny, and a great illustrations!
January 19, 2021
Humorous Japanese tale of two merchants that want each other's services for free.
November 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. A fun way to teach team work.
November 7, 2022
I enjoyed this little tale. It was cute and has a great message too!
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April 6, 2023I think as a kid I would have appreciated the several acts of malicious compliance in this story; and it all works out in the end.
July 2, 2023
Beautiful story of two neighbors (Yoshi & Sabu) learning to share and help each other.
Story from Japan
Story from Japan
November 5, 2011
"Yoshi's Feast" is a folklore book and was published in 2000. This book is a winner of the Teachers Choice: International Reading Association award. The book explains how the neighbors fued over how Yoshi would smell the eel catchers boiling eels everyday and would get distracted from doing his job of making paper fans. The two characters fight over a bill that Yoshi writes the neighbor about smelling eel instead of making money. The story ends surprisingly, but youll have to read to find out who wins the battle of the neightbors!
I gave this book a rating of 4 stars. I could see why they would fight but for me, it was difficult to understand everything in the book. The language was okay, it was not spectacular in one bit. The illustrations were to die for though, they were just the right amount of color every where and looked very authenic. I would not want this in my classroom, only for the simple reason being that if I had a hard time understanding, imagine how the children would be.
I gave this book a rating of 4 stars. I could see why they would fight but for me, it was difficult to understand everything in the book. The language was okay, it was not spectacular in one bit. The illustrations were to die for though, they were just the right amount of color every where and looked very authenic. I would not want this in my classroom, only for the simple reason being that if I had a hard time understanding, imagine how the children would be.
February 25, 2015
Personal Reaction- Great book on Japanese culture and food that comes from Japan. Easy read with interesting vocabulary and the main character goes through many difficult things but still dances and stays positive.
Purposes:
Yoshi's Feast would be good for 2nd-3rd graders. The vocabulary used is unique to Japanese culture and would be good for students to get familiar with. Words like "hibachi," "eels," and "sizzling" give this book an edge and would be good at broadening students vocabulary. A great purpose for this book to be used in the classroom would be in a culture lesson, especially the Japanese culture. The illustrations use traditional clothing of Japanese culture and that gives students great perspective. The story also has a great moral of staying true to yourself and staying positive. Could be a great book to use in the classroom when there is a bully situation or when students need a confidence boost.
Purposes:
Yoshi's Feast would be good for 2nd-3rd graders. The vocabulary used is unique to Japanese culture and would be good for students to get familiar with. Words like "hibachi," "eels," and "sizzling" give this book an edge and would be good at broadening students vocabulary. A great purpose for this book to be used in the classroom would be in a culture lesson, especially the Japanese culture. The illustrations use traditional clothing of Japanese culture and that gives students great perspective. The story also has a great moral of staying true to yourself and staying positive. Could be a great book to use in the classroom when there is a bully situation or when students need a confidence boost.
September 26, 2011
I loved this story so much because of the humorous writing and the wonderful message: You get what you pay for! It's a folklore about two feuding neighbors. Yoshi, a fan maker, smelled delicious eels caught and cooked by his neighbor Sabu, and refuses to buy them. Yoshi doesn't want to spend his money on Sabu's eels, and would rather smell them as he eats his rice. Sabu is angered by this and writes up a bill for Yoshi as well as cooks stinky samma. Eventually they come to an agreement that benefits the both of them in a great way, thus creating a new friendship. The illustrations are really beautiful. A great resolution to a clever story.
Curriculum: So sweet and funny, as it touches on how some times, we must sacrifice as well as come to an agreement when in conflict.
Curriculum: So sweet and funny, as it touches on how some times, we must sacrifice as well as come to an agreement when in conflict.
February 27, 2015
Yoshi's Feast is a story picture book about 30 pages long with about a paragraph on each page. It follows a characters named Yoshi who stays positive and dances though there is negativity around him. The vocabulary has educational words on Japanese culture and also great onomatopoeias when he is dancing. The illustrations are very geometric and expand the readers knowledge on Japanese culture even further.
This book would be a nice addition to a cultural unit. When introducing students to the Japanese culture and history, this book would be a fun and exciting break from anything more serious, while still introducing them to elements of the culture.
This book would be a nice addition to a cultural unit. When introducing students to the Japanese culture and history, this book would be a fun and exciting break from anything more serious, while still introducing them to elements of the culture.
December 1, 2010
A story that takes place in Japan. Every day Yoshi's neighbor Sabu catches and cooks delicious eels. But nobody comes to Sabu hibachi because it is out of the way. Yoshi does not want to spend his money on the eels; instead he enjoys the smell with his rice. Sabu is upset by this so he makes stinky samma. Yoshi and Sabu come up with a agreement that benefits them both. A great story about Japanese culture.
January 25, 2008
I just loved this book. When my kids weren't in the mood to read it (we got it from the library), I would read it myself. I loved the artistic drawings - seemed to be paper art. It tells a well-known story about two warring neighbors who fight over customers and then grow to work together and have fun. The way this book is typeset and the way the graphics are, it just is so fun to read!
August 22, 2011
I read this for a library storytime this summer with a theme of folk tales from around the world. This is a folk tale from Japan. It was a touch too long for a perfect storytime book, but I read it first and it seemed to mostly keep the kids' interest. I particularly enjoyed the detailed illustrations and the resolution to the problem between the two neighbors.
December 22, 2011
This book is about Yoshi, who loves the smell of his neighbor Sabu's roasted eels. Being cheap, he will never buy them, until one day Sabu begins cooking the stinkiest fish instead of the eels. Yoshi attracts a crowd to come to Sabu's hibachi for his eel. Then, as friends, they share the eel each night. This book is funny!
March 29, 2012
An adaption of a traditional Japanese folk tale. Yoshi's neighbor makes the most delicious smelling broiled eels in Yedo, but he is too cheap to buy them so he enjoys them vicariously. His neighbor Sabu believes that Yoshi is the reason that he is poor and demands payments for the delicious smells. So begins the feud until they find a way out their differences to their mutual benefit.
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February 4, 2016Yoshi loves broiled eels. His neighbor Sabu makes and sells broiled eels. Yoshi believes his neighbor should share the leftovers. Sabu believes Yoshi should pay for them. But Yoshi is too stingy to pay. After a hilarious dispute involving Yoshi paying for the smell of the eels with the sound of his clinking money, they both work together to bring Sabu more customers.
February 13, 2008
So fun! I very cleaver book about a Japanese fan maker and his neighbor a chief. Great lessons, fun sounds, and lively illustrations. Some of the words were a little hard to pronounce though so you might want to double check before using for story time.
February 6, 2010
This book is really funny. A great read aloud as it has sounds which make students want to dance along. Yoshi and his neighbor Sabu have a feud. They finally solve it in a peaceful way. Not a bad message for young and old alike.
August 1, 2012
While reading this book to my daughter, I smelled of delicious smoky, broiled eels which made me drool. I also danced with my daughter on the sound of coin jingles. Chin Jara Jara.. Chin Jara Jara, this book will entertain you with its cultural wit and sense of humor.
July 5, 2008
Beautiful art work and a great story.
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October 28, 2010Japan
October 30, 2014
When Yoshi's neighbor, Sabu, the eel broiler, attempts to charge him for the delicious-smelling aromas he has been enjoying, Yoshi hatches a plan to enrich them both.
April 1, 2015
Cooperation and being a good neighbor are part of this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews