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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Hello, Japan! by Ekaterina Otiko is the twelfth book in the Travel Sisters series. Sophie and her sister Stephie have already been on epic trips to amazing places such as the Caribbean, Denmark, Egypt, and Australia. And now, they’re heading to Japan! Their friend Yoshi is the perfect tour guide as they eagerly await the fireworks festival. Their trip takes a turn when Globik - their magical globe - gives them a special task, and it’s one with much urgency. The festival is missing its colors, and it’s up to the sisters to retrieve them in time for the fireworks. The search takes them on an epic adventure throughout Japan, where they travel by train, climb Mount Fuji, check out the sights in Tokyo, and even visit Yoshi’s home. Can they find the colors in time?
This fun and unique journey has elements of fantasy, mystery, and geography. Ekaterina Otiko introduces this special world where a talking globe whisks them away to incredible places and gives them a mission. Magic is an essential aspect of the story, with the festival reliant on Sophie and Stephie retrieving the missing colors. This creates an interesting blend of travel and problem-solving as children can help the sisters search while learning about Japan. The joy of curiosity will be sparked in all ages, along with the love of adventure and travel. The book also features Japanese words with a glossary at the end and pronunciation at the bottom of the pages. Animals have an important role in the story as the sisters’ and their friend’s companions, although it is the macaw that guides them with important facts. This is a clever way to make learning fun while encouraging an early appreciation for the culture and beauty of Japan. The illustrations are vibrant, full of life, and engaging, providing lots of color, snapshots of locations, and visual humor. Hello, Japan! is a unique adventure that takes children to real-life locations where they explore landmarks, engage in Japanese culture, and solve a magical mystery.
