For families that place good food high on their list of priorities, educating their wee ones about the joys of sushi may be far more important than teaching about bunnies and balls and flowers. But even those who don't know futomaki from hatahata will relish the playful rhymes and lush collages in Amy Wilson Sanger's wonderful First Book of Sushi.
Miso in my sippy cup,
tofu in my bowl.
Crab and avocado
fill my California roll.
English-speaking tots will love wrapping their lips around Japanese words such as tekka maki, ebi, and wasabi, and will soon be joining in the bouncy recitation of sushi favorites for the very young. This bright little board book, with its gorgeous array of patterns and textured, mixed-media collages, looks good enough to eat. And who knows, it might even inspire picky eaters to try a little egg tamago or squishy salmon roe (otherwise known as ikura)! (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter
