Doggie boy posing for the camera with his kids meal
The boys love eating Japanese food. I remember one of their first taste of Japanese food was chawamushi which was introduced to them when they were nearly 1 year old. From then onwards there has been a liking for udon, cha soba , tempura and sushi. They would request that we have lunch at a Japanese restaurant at least once a month.
(Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き, Japanese Pancake)
R and I are more into the other Japanese food like Okonomiyaki and terriyaki and normally will order a variety of dishes when we are at the restaurant. This way everyone can have their fill of their favourite Japanese food.
However on that day we had more then just great tasting Japanese food as we were able to enjoy the spectacular view of row of colourful shop houses across the river.
Joi the Koi, Gets a New Home (Joi the Koi, Volume 1) by Devon Anthony is a uplifting story about a Japanese Koi Fish who learns about patience and faith while living in a Pet store awaiting for someone special to purchase her and take her home.
The first book in the new series of books on Joi the Koi this book gives children an inside to what happens within the Ark Land pet store. The story starts off with the author introducing Joi and the other animals in the pet store. The customers who came into the store were busy looking at the different pets in the store and paid little attention to the fish village at the back.
Joi the Koi lived at the Fish Village with her friends Chubby the Guppy, Teta the Betta and Sir Lumpkin the Shubunkin. An unfortunate accident with the glass of the fish tank being broken saw Joi and her friends spill out from the tank onto the floor.
To make the most out of the disaster the shopkeeper announced a flash discount for the fish from the fall and they were eagerly snapped up by the customers except for Joi. Joi was left alone in a new glass while she watched her friends being sold off one by one.
She felt lonely and was losing faith that a customer would come by and take her home. A voice within her told her not to lose her faith. It told her to kiss the glass and someone would come her way. In the end a little girl really came and bought Joi and took her home.
My thoughts
I love the underlying message of faith and hope which is been presented by Joi the fish. It shows that with faith and determination what we desire can come true. I love the realistic graphics illustrated by Gwen Clifford. There is an extensive explanation of fish facts at the back of the book. Joi the Koi comes with an Audio CD which has tracks in both English and Spanish. I find that this is really handy as I can play the CD for my 5 yr old to listen to while he reads the book independently.
Both my 5 and 8 yr old boys loved reading the book and I’m sure that your kids will love the story too.
You can purchase a copy of this book for $20 from Amazon
Doggie boy posing for the camera with his kids meal
(Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き, Japanese Pancake)
by Devon Anthony is a uplifting story about a Japanese Koi Fish who learns about patience and faith while living in a Pet store awaiting for someone special to purchase her and take her home.