In this unique and humorous sushi book, illustrator and maki artist Tama-chan (Takayo Kiyota) shows how basic ingredients like rice, seaweed, pickles, and cucumber can be used like paint and ink to create maki that is so fun to look at, you almost won't want to eat it. Mostly art book, part cookbook, Smiling Sushi Roll includes a few of the basics of using condiments, herbs and spices to colorize rice as well as of preparing a sushi roll for some artistic strokes. Tama-chan's rolls feature original whimsical cartoons of Japanese culture and social commentary, as well as interpretations of famous works. Some of the cartoons even change with each slice of the roll to form a running narrative. The result is a funny, joyous celebration of food preparation and presentation, and a whole new definition of "culinary art."