Helen Yoon – illustratör

A mouse with her heart set on dancing in The Nutcracker finds a joyful way to spin on-stage in this delectable, sugar-sprinkled ode to doing what makes you happiest. Mouse is sure of one thing: She is destined to dance someday with the Sugar Plum Fairy. But the other animal ballerinas don’t agree. “You’re too small to be a ballerina,” they say. “You’re too tiny to wear a tutu.” But what’s to stop Mouse from becoming . . . a donut-rina? Head to the nearest bakery and step into the confection of your choice as a townful of “too big”s, “too tall”s, and “too porcupine”s take to the streets in a twirling, plié-ing, jeté-ing flurry of happiness that even the Sugar Plum Fairy herself could not resist. Funny and full of affection, this offbeat, humor- and heart-filled tribute to the Nutcracker will delight both fans and newcomers to the beloved holiday tradition.

“Fully and funnily realizing the comedic potential of a child’s single-mindedness, the work also provides a model for rolling with the p . . . inecones.” —Publishers Weekly Daddy is a bit distracted on their autumn walk, while his curious child only has eyes for one of nature’s small wonders: a pinecone! And look, another pinecone! And another! In fact, she could gather an entire collection—an entire extended family—of pinecones if she wanted to (and she wants to!). But what then? In a story spun with visual comedy, the characters from Off-Limits return for a small adventure in outsize enthusiasm leading to a sparkly, holiday-cheer-worthy finish. Helen Yoon brings all her quirky warmth to bear on this tribute to little ones whose fixations tend to send them over the top—and the parents who lovingly help them to funnel all that passionate energy. And perhaps some of their own!

For every child who has ever felt that grown-ups have all the fun, a vicarious chance to slip behind the office door — and play with all the tempting things that are “off-limits.”Dad’s office is “off-limits” – which only makes it more intriguing to his curious young daughter. As soon as she sees an opening, she sneaks in to have a look around. After all, there’s no harm in just looking, right? What she discovers is a magical wonderland of sticky tape, paper clips that make glorious strands, and a kaleidoscopic array of sticky notes. Who could possibly resist playing with those? In a joyful ode to office supplies, Helen Yoon leads a celebration of just-for-once breaking the rules – and offers a final, funny nod to adults who harbour a similar urge.