Yukie’s Island: My Family’s World War II Story

A picture book autobiography by Yukie Kimura about her childhood in Japan during World War II.

The Worry Balloon

On the first day of school, Isla’s mind plays the what if game. Scary thoughts come, the world goes dark, and everything feels stormy. With Mami at her side, Isla takes a deep breath and blows her worries away in a big balloon. But as school gets closer, Isla’s worries come back like a tornado. Mami encourages her to imagine something happy, and Isla remembers there’s nothing she can’t handle. The storm might come again, but for now, her mind is quiet.

Asha And The Toymaker

Asha’s papa makes and sells wooden toys to pay for her to go to school. But Papa struggles to find buyers. And this makes him worry. He worries Asha’s life will also be a struggle unless she focuses on her schoolwork, which he never had the chance to do. Can Asha’s art help Papa? Will he let her try?

Amadou’s Zoo

Amadou has waited…and waited…and WAITED for his class trip to the zoo. But when they arrive, his teacher would rather talk about rules and facts. So, Amadou eagerly explores the zoo in his own special way–by allowing his imagination to lead. As more and more classmates follow him into his irresistible world of adventure, the sepia-toned zoo fills with vibrant color. Only one question remains–will Amadou’s teacher follow, too?

The Great Grrrrr

Patience is not in the Great Grrrrr’s strongest trait. He is a monster in a hurry and has packages to deliver, so you had better answer the doorbell before his patience runs out, or worse, it starts to rain. Frustration and impatience explode onto the pages of this hilariously expressive two-color picture book.

Yellow Butterfly: A Story From Ukraine

A wordless picture book portrayal of war seen through the eyes of a young girl who finds hope in the symbolism of yellow butterflies against the background of a pure blue sky. Using the colors of his national flag, Oleksandr Shatokhin has created a deeply emotional response to the conflict in Ukraine and provided a narrative full of powerful visual metaphors for readers to consider as they travel from the devastating effects of war to a place of hope for peace and the future.

Yellow Butterfly is featured in WOW Review Volume XVII, Issue 3.

Plátanos Go With Everything/Los Plátanos Van Con Todo: Bilingual English-Spanish

Platanos are Yesenia’s favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they’re a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why platanos go with everything, especially love!