Les amis de Momoko, by Kotimi – the third volume of the series A Japanese Childhood

And here are four new stories from Kotimi’s 1960s Tokyo childhood. In this book, we learn about Hanami – celebrating the cherry blossom. Showers of pink petals fall on family picnics. Then it’s back to school: disappointments, the sorrow of losing friends and the joy of making new ones.

Kotimi skilfully weaves recipes and handicrafts into her stories. Sometimes it’s bittersweet, like in this previous story where we follow Momoko when she goes with her disabled younger sister Miyuki to the special centre where she’ll also be going back to school.

Hardcover picture book, 17.5 x 23 cm, 112 pages