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Yoshito Darmon-Shimamori is a secondary school foreign languages teacher, and father to his sons who he is raising multilingual, multicultural and multi-literate. He writes books to help multilingual children grow up proud of and empowered by their languages and cultures.
Yoshito Darmon-Shimamori grew up bilingual French and Japanese in France. Although, when he was in primary school, he valued what speaking two languages and growing up with two cultures brought him, it was a whole other story in secondary school.
In his teenage years, as he saw the gap between his languages growing, especially when it came to reading and writing in Japanese, he started doubting his bilingual identity.
These doubts were fuelled by myths that surround multilingualism, such as the belief that to be considered bilingual one needs to be equally proficient in both languages.
This is what led him to write "In Search of the Lost Words", a graphic novel that can be personalized to each reader to help them explore their heritage language(s) and culture(s) in a fun way, through an exciting time travel adventure.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
In Search of the Lost Words by Yoshito Darmon-Shimamori is a vibrant and heartfelt graphic novel aimed at young readers navigating the complexities of multilingual and multicultural identities. The story follows Anna, a bilingual protagonist, as she embarks on an imaginative journey to reconnect with her heritage. The author brilliantly weaves language, culture, and family history, making it easy for children to see the value of multilingualism. The book invites readers to engage by filling in speech bubbles in their language, bringing a unique and personal experience to the narrative. Young readers are encouraged to explore their linguistic skills and dive into cultural storytelling, enhancing their self-identity.
The illustrations by Purvi Jhavar add warmth and depth, making Anna’s journey even more relatable. In addition to its engaging storyline and delightful artwork, In Search of the Lost Words offers a refreshing approach to language learning that emphasizes play and exploration over rote memorization. The book includes games and activities to make reading and writing in multiple languages fun and accessible. These exercises reinforce the story’s themes by encouraging children to explore new words and phrases while connecting with their family’s unique linguistic heritage. Yoshito Darmon-Shimamori’s guide empowers young readers to see multilingualism as a skill and a superpower that bridges generations and builds confidence. This is a beautiful addition to any multilingual household or classroom, sparking curiosity and pride in cultural diversity. It’s an excellent guide to fostering language skills while nurturing connections to one’s cultural roots.
