Carmen Mok – illustratör

Shy Alfred wants to befriend the girl whose yard is filled with other kids and flowers but he doesn't know how. When Alfred sees Lulu’s magical yard filled with flowers and friends, he’s sure that if he can cultivate a beautiful garden, friends will flock to join him. Alfred tries but nothing grows in his brown patch of dirt. Determined to make one last attempt, Alfred heads to the store to buy fresh flower seeds. As he hurries home, he sneezes—and the seeds fly everywhere! And this time they begin to grow wherever they land—in his pockets, in his hair, even in his ears! A very discouraged Alfred gets stuck in the mud.  But the aroma of warm blueberry muffins coming from a nearby bakery reminds him of Lulu’s favorite treat and, tucking the flowers under his hat, he heads there. Alfred shares muffins with Lulu and finds out that he doesn’t need a garden; time spent together is the best way to make a friend.    This charming friendship story is sensitive and delightful with just a touch of whimsy.

This playful yet calming book about wonderful forest sounds is the perfect gift for introducing kids to loving—and respecting—the natural world around them.The forest has lots to say… if you listen.When a child steps into the forest, her ears are open and her heart is too. She listens carefully and hears marvelous things. She hears the rustling of leaves sharing their secrets. She hears a beetle balancing on a branch. And the more she listens, the more she learns.I Hear You, Forest is an excellent resource for outdoor education, classroom learning and homeschooling, helping to teach:Empathy and connection with all living thingsMindfulness and appreciation with the world around usThat the forest is full of magical sounds—you just have to listen!Book #1 in the Sounds of Nature series! This picture book series about listening to nature explores different ecosystems, including forest, ocean, and mountain soundscapes. It encourages mindfulness, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning, as readers join the characters in using their imaginations to hear the many things nature has to say.

This joyful and soothing book about ocean sounds for kids 3-7 will transport readers to the seaside.When a child visits the ocean with his little brother, he whispers to him, “The ocean has lots to say, if you listen.” Together, they hear wondrous things, like the rumble of pebbles tumbling and filling the beach with shiny gems, the bark of a seal playing peekaboo, and the whooshing of a shell murmuring messages.The second book in the Sounds of Nature Series for young children, I Hear You, Ocean is an excellent resource for outdoor education and social-emotional learning, helping to teach:How to engage with nature in fun and respectful waysMindfulness and empathy with the world around usPositive and gentle play with younger siblingsThe ocean makes magical sounds—you just have to listen!Book 2 in the Sounds of Nature series! This picture book series about listening to nature explores different ecosystems, including forest, ocean, and mountain soundscapes. It encourages mindfulness, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning, as readers join the characters in using their imaginations to hear the many things nature has to say.

This joyful book about nature sounds for kids 3-7 will transport readers up a magnificent mountain.The mountains have lots to say… if you listen.It’s time for a hike in the mountains! A group of friends sets off, ready for adventure, with their ears open and their hearts too. From the rush of a waterfall and a chipmunk chattering cheerfully to the peck of a rascally bird trying to steal a snack, there are many exciting sounds to discover.The third book in the “Sounds of Nature” series for young children, I Hear You, Mountains is an excellent resource for outdoor education and social-emotional learning, helping to teach:How to engage with nature in fun and respectful waysConnection and empathy with living thingsMindfulness, observation, and imagination

The meditative picture book that Kirkus Reviews recommends as “a practical introduction to the mindfulness meditation, as an example of the practice, and as a guide”—now in paperback!Parents, educators, and health practitioners everywhere are recognizing the importance of mindfulness practice, particularly for children. Meditation and yoga are becoming common activities in kindergarten classes and beyond. Taking time to be still and pay attention to their thoughts and bodies helps kids feel calm, focused, and in control. In A World of Mindfulness, meditative text reflects on the sensory ways children experience life, from the feeling of their muscles when they run…to the sound of a turning page…to the memory-laden taste of fresh-baked cookies. Positive and negative emotions are alike acknowledged and affirmed, and a strong sense of self is reinforced.Richly illustrated by fourteen artists with all-new original art, A World of Mindfulness will create its own quiet moments as children revisit its lavish pages. A closing note about mindfulness practice rounds out this board book, making it a helpful resource for homes, classrooms, and beyond.

The meditative picture book that Kirkus Reviews recommends as “a practical introduction to the mindfulness meditation, as an example of the practice, and as a guide”—now in paperback!Parents, educators, and health practitioners everywhere are recognizing the importance of mindfulness practice, particularly for children. Meditation and yoga are becoming common activities in kindergarten classes and beyond. Taking time to be still and pay attention to their thoughts and bodies helps kids feel calm, focused, and in control. In A World of Mindfulness, meditative text reflects on the sensory ways children experience life, from the feeling of their muscles when they run…to the sound of a turning page…to the memory-laden taste of fresh-baked cookies. Positive and negative emotions are alike acknowledged and affirmed, and a strong sense of self is reinforced.Richly illustrated by fourteen artists with all-new original art, A World of Mindfulness will create its own quiet moments as children revisit its lavish pages. A closing note about mindfulness practice rounds out this board book, making it a helpful resource for homes, classrooms, and beyond.

In this powerful story from Christine Baldacchino, author of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, a young girl navigates social anxiety at family gatherings and works with her father to find a solution.Violet Shrink doesn’t like parties. Or bashes, or gatherings. Lots of people and lots of noise make Violet’s tummy ache and her hands sweat. She would much rather spend time on her own, watching the birds in her backyard, reading comics or listening to music through her purple headphones. The problem is that the whole Shrink family loves parties with loud music and games and dancing.At cousin Char’s birthday party, Violet hides under a table and imagines she is a shark gliding effortlessly through the water, looking for food. And at Auntie Marlene and Uncle Leli’s anniversary bash, Violet sits alone at the top of the stairs, imagining she is a slithering snake way up in the branches. When Violet learns that the Shrink family reunion is fast approaching, she finally musters up the courage to have a talk with her dad.In this thoughtful story about understanding and acceptance, Christine Baldacchino’s warm text demonstrates the role imagination often plays for children dealing with anxiety, and the power of a child expressing their feelings to a parent who is there to listen. Carmen Mok’s charming illustrations perfectly capture Violet’s emotions and the vibrancy of her imagination. A valuable contribution to books addressing mental health. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

When a child is asked to “Please, be quiet!” they sit silent … and their imagination sweeps them away on a breathtaking journey. Through the window, the child can hear the trees breathe and watches them sway back and forth as they begin to dance. Then bears join in, accompanied by the child on their drum, making so much noise they wake up a dragon! The dragon’s smoky breath fills the sky, and the wind forms a knight on a steed that gallops through the stars. The child’s adventure continues, as one wonderful flight of fancy leads to the next, from pirates to mermaids to whales, until they find themselves sitting silent once again among the trees. Jean E. Pendziwol has written a charming story-poem that looks at silence and stillness as an opportunity for the imagination and creativity to flourish. Carmen Mok’s magical illustrations flow from one spread to the next like animation, in a palette inspired by vintage printmaking. Key Text Featuresdialogueillustrations Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

This joyful and soothing book about ocean sounds for kids 3-7 will transport readers to the seaside.When a child visits the ocean with his little brother, he whispers to him, “The ocean has lots to say, if you listen.” Together, they hear wondrous things, like the rumble of pebbles tumbling and filling the beach with shiny gems, the bark of a seal playing peekaboo, and the whooshing of a shell murmuring messages.The second book in the Sounds of Nature Series for young children, I Hear You, Ocean is an excellent resource for outdoor education and social-emotional learning, helping to teach:How to engage with nature in fun and respectful waysMindfulness and empathy with the world around usPositive and gentle play with younger siblingsThe ocean makes magical sounds—you just have to listen!Book 2 in the Sounds of Nature series! This picture book series about listening to nature explores different ecosystems, including forest, ocean, and mountain soundscapes. It encourages mindfulness, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning, as readers join the characters in using their imaginations to hear the many things nature has to say.

Grace says goodbye to Grandmother in this touching book about love and loss.Grandmother lives with Grace’s family. She teaches her how to measure water for rice. She tells her stories about growing up in China and together they savor the flavors of her childhood. Grandmother says goodbye when she drops Grace off at school every morning and hello when she picks her up at the end of the day.Suddenly, Grandmother stops walking Grace to and from school, and the door to her room stays closed. Father comes home early to make dinner, but the rice bowls stay full. One day, Grandmother’s room is empty. And soon after, she is buried. After the funeral, Grace’s mom turns on all the outside lights so that Grandmother’s spirit can find its way home for one final goodbye.Carmen Mok’s gentle illustrations show the love between a child and her grandmother in this story that will resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one. Betty Quan’s picture-book debut is haunting yet hopeful. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7>Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

This playful yet calming book about wonderful forest sounds is the perfect gift for introducing kids to loving—and respecting—the natural world around them.The forest has lots to say… if you listen.When a child steps into the forest, her ears are open and her heart is too. She listens carefully and hears marvelous things. She hears the rustling of leaves sharing their secrets. She hears a beetle balancing on a branch. And the more she listens, the more she learns.I Hear You, Forest is an excellent resource for outdoor education, classroom learning and homeschooling, helping to teach:Empathy and connection with all living thingsMindfulness and appreciation with the world around usThat the forest is full of magical sounds—you just have to listen!Book #1 in the Sounds of Nature series! This picture book series about listening to nature explores different ecosystems, including forest, ocean, and mountain soundscapes. It encourages mindfulness, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning, as readers join the characters in using their imaginations to hear the many things nature has to say.