**2012 Creative Child Magazine Book of the Year Award Winner!** Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll, a gorgeous multicultural children's book by author/illustrator Sunny Seki, takes readers on a journey into ancient Japan and the story behind the famous Daruma Doll. Yuko-chan, an adventurous blind orphan, is able to do amazing things. She confronts a burglar in the dead of night and crosses treacherous mountain passes to deliver food to hungry people. During her travels, Yuko-chan trips and tumbles down a snowy cliff. She discovers a strange thing as she waits for help: her tea gourd, regardless of how she drops it, always lands right-side-up. The tea has frozen in the bottom of the gourd! Inspired by this, she creates the famous Daruma doll toy, which rights itself when tipped--a true symbol of resilience. Thanks to Yuko-chan's invention, the villagers are able to earn a living and feed themselves by selling the dolls. Yuko-chan never gave up, no matter the obstacles she faced, and the Daruma doll is a charming reminder of the power of perseverance. With text in English and Japanese, this book is of special interest to bicultural families.

Magda is thrilled to leave her globalization-protesting boyfriend in Toronto and head to Tokyo to teach English ... or so she thinks. Suddenly caught up in the politics of English and pop culture in Japan, Magda soon realizes to expect the unexpected.

Little Daruma becomes friends with three Tenjins as they work together to reel in a big fish. Little Daruma is invited to their home. They make rice balls and have lunch together with Tenjins' parents.

Here comes snack time! This book is perfect for children who love animals and snacks. They will discover their favorite animals and learn what those animals eat. Rhythmic onomatopoeia attracts children to repeat their mother's reading.

"Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhism" gives a new perspective on contemporary Japanese Zen Buddhism. Ideas, ritual practices, temples and interactions between the clergy, the laity and the institution are investigated as living representations of a unique and yet common Japanese religion.

Surveys the art of the Age of Exploration in Europe, the Far East, and the Americas