Additional information
by Matthew Loux (Author)
Explore Japanese culture with Penny, Paulie, and magical Shimesu!
Twins Penny and Paulie are thrilled to be in Tokyo--even if they're stuck in a boring hotel while their dad attends "important" meetings. But when they meet a strange, frog-like creature named Shimesu in the hotel pond, their trip turns into a wild adventure. Shimesu is a yokai, a supernatural being, and he's in big trouble. Banished from Yokai Mountain, he needs their help to get home. Soon Penny and Paulie are diving through his magical water vortex to destinations across Japan and experiencing the country in ways no visitor ever could! Blending an exciting adventure with fun facts about Japanese culture, this book explores:- How ancient Japanese castles kept enemies out--and what samurai wore into battle
- The etiquette of visiting a Shinto shrine and the meaning behind its objects
- The trendy pop culture of Tokyo's Harajuku and Akihabara districts
- The many kinds of noodles, street food, and seafood enjoyed in Japan
- And much more!
Experienced comic book artist and children's educator Matthew Loux creates the perfect balance of humor, page-turning action and cultural detail. Kids, parents, teachers, and librarians alike will want this book on their shelves.
Author Biography
Matthew Loux is the artist and creator of many graphic novels for kids including Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring, The Time Museum, the Salt Water Taffy series, and the Spark Experiment. Loux has studied Japanese culture for over a decade and has visited the country many times. Matthew completes all of his work by hand, never with AI assistance.
Number of Pages: 80
Dimensions: 0.5 x 10 x 7.5 IN
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
