Read La Carmina's posts on the Penguin Blog.

A cookbook that thinks outside the bento box and brings the popular Japanese trend of kawaii (all things cute) to the American kitchen.

Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Super Mario, Astroboy… American pop culture has been invaded by big-headed, dewy-eyed characters from Japan. The cult of kawaii (ka-why-ee, or all things cute) has spread to every aspect of living—including food. Take Japan’s wackiest new trend: school lunches dolled up as adorable creatures. They’re feasts for the eyes, but their ingredients such as natto and nori don’t exactly sit well with Western stomachs.

Cute Yummy Time interprets this Japanese phenomenon for the American palate. Using familiar foods, La Carmina turns mundane meals into adorable sensations. A risotto ball becomes a curious hedgehog; chicken sandwiches are dressed as chicks. Entertaining has never been so endearing with a blue cheese blowfish for a beach party or strawberry lovers in chocolate crepe robes for Valentine’s Day. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and eye-popping full-color photos.