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Gohan Is a Work of Art Paperback – March 4, 2025
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“We’re at this famous shop in town, and yet it isn’t fair. I’m the one onigiri that has no stunning flair!” But what if you are wonderful, made just the way you are?
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, that is, until his pal, Paddy, takes Gohan on an adventure through Japan’s charming cherry blossom season.
Enriched with lively rhymes and vibrant illustrations, little readers will learn elements of Japanese language and culture through Gohan’s heartwarming journey of self-acceptance.
- Reading age3 - 6 years
- Print length35 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions8.5 x 0.09 x 8.5 inches
- Publication dateMarch 4, 2025
- ISBN-13979-8990304413
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Product details
- ASIN : B0DP1QBT6Y
- Publisher : Momo Street Press
- Publication date : March 4, 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 35 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8990304413
- Item Weight : 3.84 ounces
- Reading age : 3 - 6 years
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.09 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #607 in Children's Asian & Asian American Books
- #621 in Children's Asia Books
- #1,642 in Children's Multicultural Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Melissa Sakamoto is passionate about helping grown-ups introduce little readers to new languages and cultures through fun, engaging stories. As a Japanese-Chinese-American, her roots and experiences have shaped so much of her journey. Melissa’s time living abroad in Italy and Japan deepened her love for multilingual and multicultural experiences, and her years as an English teacher abroad taught her how language can connect us in the most creative ways.
Hello,
My name is Tammy Do, a Vietnamese children's book illustrator, now residing in OC, California. I graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2022, holding an MA degree in Illustration. I work digitally and enjoy experimenting with different brushes and techniques to bring more ideas to life. I find inspiration from nature, literature, and my niece's everyday stories. I always strive to create illustrations that are both beautiful and meaningful. My art style is whimsical, playful, and vibrant. I love to create characters that are not only imaginative but also brimming with personality.
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Customer reviews
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers love this book's gentle storytelling and beautiful illustrations, with one review noting how it beautifully captures the essence of diversity. They appreciate the bilingual rhyming and find it fun to read, with one mentioning it's perfect for early elementary school grades. The book receives positive feedback for its message about self-acceptance and fostering empathy, with one review highlighting its ability to open up important conversations.
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Customers love the message of the story and appreciate its gentle storytelling approach.
"Such a wonderful story! My daughter asks to read it again and again! I love the message as well!..." Read more
"Cute story that follows Gohan (rice) on a journey that leads him to understand he’s special as he is even though his appearance is plain and not..." Read more
"...story of Gohan is both engaging and meaningful, weaving important life lessons into a narrative that young readers can easily relate to - the..." Read more
"...The beautiful illustrations bring this heartwarming tale to life and the bilingual rhyming is so well done...." Read more
Customers appreciate the language learning aspect of the book, with some being curious about learning Japanese words, and one customer noting the well-done bilingual rhyming.
"...The book also introduces Japanese words as he goes around the community." Read more
"My kids cannot put this book down and are so curious about learning the Japanese words!..." Read more
"...There are plenty of Japanese words they can learn in this book, and hopefully, this will be a great start for their language learning!..." Read more
"...It’s such a fun way to learn some Japanese words and the recipe at the end is such a bonus. Cannot recommend this book enough." Read more
Customers appreciate the beautiful illustrations in the book, with one noting how they beautifully capture the essence of diversity.
"This children’s book is a gem that beautifully captures the essence of diversity and the power of self-acceptance...." Read more
"...The beautiful illustrations bring this heartwarming tale to life and the bilingual rhyming is so well done...." Read more
"Such a fun and beautiful book! This book promotes rich Japanese culture and vocabulary while delivering a heartfelt message about self-acceptance...." Read more
"...Adorable characters, detailed graphics, and lovely storytelling are also featured in this fun and heartwarming book." Read more
Customers find the book delightful and fun, with one mentioning its heartwarming content and another noting its engaging rhymes.
"Such a fun and beautiful book! This book promotes rich Japanese culture and vocabulary while delivering a heartfelt message about self-acceptance...." Read more
"...The story of Gohan is both engaging and meaningful, weaving important life lessons into a narrative that young readers can easily relate to - the..." Read more
"...My kids have loved the message of the story, the fun rhymes, Japanese vocabulary, and beautiful pictures." Read more
"A delightful book that kids enjoy and I really enjoy reading to them...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's literacy level, with one mentioning it's perfect for early elementary school grades, while another notes it's a fantastic addition to family and classroom libraries.
"...I love the message as well! Perfect for kids in early elementary school grades and younger." Read more
"...way to discuss complex topics like inclusion, kindness, and self-worth with children...." Read more
"A delightful book that kids enjoy and I really enjoy reading to them...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's message about self-acceptance and individuality, with one customer noting it serves as a tool for fostering empathy and understanding, while another mentions its ability to open up important conversations.
"...My daughter asks to read it again and again! I love the message as well! Perfect for kids in early elementary school grades and younger." Read more
"...that beautifully captures the essence of diversity and the power of self-acceptance...." Read more
"...Japanese culture and vocabulary while delivering a heartfelt message about self-acceptance...." Read more
Reviews with images

Gohan, A Heartwarming Tale of Embracing Individuality
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseSuch a wonderful story! My daughter asks to read it again and again! I love the message as well! Perfect for kids in early elementary school grades and younger.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseCute story that follows Gohan (rice) on a journey that leads him to understand he’s special as he is even though his appearance is plain and not dressed up like the other rice enclosed in sushi or flavorings. The book also introduces Japanese words as he goes around the community.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis children’s book is a gem that beautifully captures the essence of diversity and the power of self-acceptance. The story of Gohan is both engaging and meaningful, weaving important life lessons into a narrative that young readers can easily relate to - the journey to building confidence. Friends like Shiozake the onigiri and Paddy the friendly rice paddle bring their own unique charm, illustrating how our differences make the world brighter and more vibrant.
Tammy Do’s illustrations are stunning and full of warmth, perfectly complementing the story's uplifting message. Through vivid imagery and gentle storytelling, the book encourages children to celebrate what makes them special and to appreciate the uniqueness in others. These illustrations are unique within, considering how Tammy has traditionally drawn for stories that narrate human figures.
What truly sets this book apart is its ability to open up important conversations about the world around us. It creates a safe and approachable way to discuss complex topics like inclusion, kindness, and self-worth with children. It’s not just a storybook—it’s a tool for fostering empathy and understanding. Readers may benefit from working together to create their own onigiri, thanks to the bonus recipe at the end of the book.
This is a must-read for every child and a fantastic addition to any family or classroom library. It’s a joyful reminder that being yourself is the greatest gift you can offer the world. Highly recommended!
5.0 out of 5 starsThis children’s book is a gem that beautifully captures the essence of diversity and the power of self-acceptance. The story of Gohan is both engaging and meaningful, weaving important life lessons into a narrative that young readers can easily relate to - the journey to building confidence. Friends like Shiozake the onigiri and Paddy the friendly rice paddle bring their own unique charm, illustrating how our differences make the world brighter and more vibrant.Gohan, A Heartwarming Tale of Embracing Individuality
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
Tammy Do’s illustrations are stunning and full of warmth, perfectly complementing the story's uplifting message. Through vivid imagery and gentle storytelling, the book encourages children to celebrate what makes them special and to appreciate the uniqueness in others. These illustrations are unique within, considering how Tammy has traditionally drawn for stories that narrate human figures.
What truly sets this book apart is its ability to open up important conversations about the world around us. It creates a safe and approachable way to discuss complex topics like inclusion, kindness, and self-worth with children. It’s not just a storybook—it’s a tool for fostering empathy and understanding. Readers may benefit from working together to create their own onigiri, thanks to the bonus recipe at the end of the book.
This is a must-read for every child and a fantastic addition to any family or classroom library. It’s a joyful reminder that being yourself is the greatest gift you can offer the world. Highly recommended!
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseMy kids cannot put this book down and are so curious about learning the Japanese words! As someone who doesn’t speak Japanese, the phonetic spelling out helps me read the words to my curious kiddos. The beautiful illustrations bring this heartwarming tale to life and the bilingual rhyming is so well done. My kids have loved the message of the story, the fun rhymes, Japanese vocabulary, and beautiful pictures.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI love this little book! I plan on giving it to the youngest generation in my Japanese heritage family. There are plenty of Japanese words they can learn in this book, and hopefully, this will be a great start for their language learning! Cute little story, too!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseA delightful book that kids enjoy and I really enjoy reading to them. It’s such a fun way to learn some Japanese words and the recipe at the end is such a bonus. Cannot recommend this book enough.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseSuch a fun and beautiful book! This book promotes rich Japanese culture and vocabulary while delivering a heartfelt message about self-acceptance. Gohan and the other characters are cute and relatable, and their journeys remind us that we are enough just as we are.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseGohan is a Work of Art is a delightful story about self-acceptance showcasing Japanese cooking, culture, and language. Adorable characters, detailed graphics, and lovely storytelling are also featured in this fun and heartwarming book.
Top reviews from other countries
- T.K.Reviewed in Japan on March 11, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Children's Book About Onigiri and Japanese Culture!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseIf you are looking for a charming children's book that introduces Japanese culture, this is a perfect choice! The story is simple and heartwarming, making it easy for young readers to enjoy. The illustrations are especially beautiful, and the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) scene is so cute—it truly captures the joy of eating onigiri under the sakura trees. This book is a wonderful way to learn about Japanese food traditions in a fun and engaging way. It even includes a small guide on how to make onigiri, which makes it even more special. I highly recommend this book for families who want to explore Japanese culture with their children! 🍙🌸✨