Tsugumi Otani was born in Osaka, Japan and currently lives in Seattle. Aside from being the creator of Chimaki adventures, she works in healthcare. On the weekends or when not thinking of putting her childhood into storytelling, she takes full advantage of her leisure time. On rainy days she enjoys music, cooking, and exercise. Alas, when the sun breaks, she likes gardening and taking day hikes with her husband around the many mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
As a second language writer writing my first book, I knew this would be a challenge- especially as an aspiring author of children's stories. As an adult, I studied American English and although I did read some children's books early on, most of my language acquisition had been reliant on adult literacy, and later medical terminology. Returning to this stage took lots of help. Tugging on my husband's sleeve to proof-read is as common in our house as reading the morning news. Then there were the experts! Who knows children better than elementary school teachers? My "mom-in-law" and her dear friend (incidentally, her own master teacher when she was student teaching) helped to shape this story for my intended readers while not losing sight of my voice. A bright, shiny Chimaki smile goes out to Sharon Wilder and Anita Tschirgi for taking the time to put their finishing touches on what I hope will be the first of many stories to come!