Fujimini Adventure Series
by
Eileen Wacker
Illustrated by Alan M. Low

FROM SUSHI TO SAMURAI:
EAST MEETS WEST IN VIBRANT NEW CHILDREN’S SERIES RICHLY INFUSED WITH ASIAN CULTURE

With more and more Asian trends and influences impacting “mainstream” culture, children’s book author Eileen Wacker wanted to put a hip Asian overlay on a new book series. Blending Chinese, Korean, and Japanese influences, her new collection Fujimini Adventure Series takes children on a mystical island adventure in each story. Fujimini Island is home to a cast of fun and silly animal groups, each of which reflects a different Asian inspiration. Wacker has lived in seven different countries and recently called Seoul, South Korea home for nearly six years. She now resides in Hawaii where Asian fusion is intricately woven into society and part of every day life.  

“Asian cultures take immense pride in their customs and traditions,” says Wacker. “The characters in the books represent this in a way that strives to honor those traditions and share the wonders of Asian culture with children everywhere.

“One example is the Purple Penguin. Purple is the Japanese color for royalty and nobility, and this amusing penguin is obsessed with good manners and etiquette. This creates a hilarious dynamic in some of the stories. There is also the nurturing Orange Panda who, as in Chinese tradition, believes in celebrating with long noodles for long life.”  

Fujimini Adventure Series is written for pre-school through first grade-aged children and includes the following titles: Green Hamster and the Quest for Fun, Red Penguin and the Missing Sushi, Silent Samurai and the Magnificent Rescue, and Pink Hamster and the Big Birthday Surprise. There are storylines for eight additional titles, for a total of twelve books.  The website, www.OnceKids.com, provides children the opportunity to further interact with the Fujimini Adventure characters through online games, character and habitat descriptions, a fun picture glossary and links to Facebook and Twitter.  Ebooks and a game app are coming soon so readers can further experience the adventure in their own way.

Eileen Wacker, a Harvard Business School graduate, lived and worked in seven different countries, including the United States. She commuted to Asia for nearly three years as part of a business development team, which sparked her interest in Asian culture. While living in Seoul, South Korea, for three years, Wacker ran the children’s book program at the international school and started researching ideas for the Fujimini Adventure Series. Wacker now resides in Honolulu, Hawaii, with her husband and four children, one of whom is a daughter adopted from China.

For further information on the series, please visit http:// www.oncekids.com <http://%20www.oncekids.com> .

The first two books in the series, Green Hamster and the Quest for Fun and Red Penguin and the Missing Sushi, are available for purchase on Amazon.

As you venture out to crowded malls or browse for the perfect toy on the Internet this holiday season, be aware of hidden toy hazards. Some of the hazards to watch for include:

Toys with small parts:  Small balls and balloons remain a leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries.  Every year, approximately 5,000 children ages 14 and under receive emergency care because of an inhaled or swallowed toy or toy part. (Source: National SAFE KIDS Campaign)

Toys with strings attached may pose strangulation hazards:  If the toy you are planning to buy has cords or strings attached to it, please be careful that the cords are not too long. There is always a danger of the cord getting entangled into a loop which may pose strangulation hazards to the child.

Loud toys:  Check to make sure the noise levels on toys are tolerable and the toy has volume control. Too loud toys can permanently damage the sensitive hearing of children

Toxic toys:  If you are buying toys like crayons, art supplies, or any liquid-containing toys, make sure that the toys do not contain toxic chemicals. You can check the labels to make sure they are safe in case of accidental ingestion.

Toys with sharp edges and points:  It is a must to check all toys for sharp and pointed edges. This is especially important for younger children since they have a tendency to put things into their mouths or into their eyes. There is always a danger of falling on top of the toy while playing, which also may cause injury.

Toys that are sturdy and strong:  It is important to check to see if the toy you are buying is sturdy and built of strong shatter proof material. In case of any falls or accidents, the toy should not break into pieces with sharp edges as this can cause bodily injury to the child.

Also, remember to read and obey all Warning Labels.