Melissa Iwai – illustratör

"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —KirkusGigi, a biracial six-year-old girl, learns about her Japanese culture from her grandfather when he comes to visit. Perfect for social emotional learning. Gigi can’t wait for her Ojiji—Japanese grandpa—to move in. Gigi plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks.But her plans don’t work out quite the way she’d hoped. And her grandpa doesn’t seem to like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji?This exciting new I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.Gigi and Ojiji is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions and pronunciations.Acclaim for Gigi and Ojiji: A 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category! (2023)

Gigi wants to go by something besides her baby name—but her full name, Geraldine, is too long to write and Hanako, her middle name, doesn’t feel quite right. Will Gigi find the perfect name?This exciting new I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions.Praise for Gigi and Ojiji:"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —ALA Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —Kirkus ReviewsA 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category (2023)A Chicago Public Library Best of the BestA CCBC 2024 Choices for the Books for Beginning Readers category!

A Geisel Honor–winning series! A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best!Join Gigi as she tries natto, a traditional Japanese food, in this exciting and engaging Level Three I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator Melissa Iwai. Intergenerational relationships, Japanese culture, and social and emotional learning are highlighted in this sweet biracial story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6. Ohayo! It’s breakfast time and Gigi can’t wait to make her favorite meal—Peanut Butter Toast. Yummy! But Ojiji doesn’t like peanut butter. How can anyone NOT like peanut butter? Ojiji prefers Japanese foods—like natto, made from fermented soybeans. Will Gigi learn to love a new breakfast treat? This story highlights the close relationship of Gigi and her grandfather and the importance of trying new things!This exciting and engaging I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.Gigi and Ojij: Food for Thought is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions.Praise for Gigi and Ojiji:"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —KirkusA 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category (2023)

A Children’s Book Committee Best Book of the Year!"A cheery, gentle lesson on the importance of “practice makes ­perfect.” —School Library Journal (starred review)A Geisel Honor–winning series!Gigi loves the Japan Day Festival! When Ojiji volunteers at the origami booth, Gigi can’t wait to make a paper crane like Ojiji’s. But folding paper is harder than it looks, and Gigi is disheartened when she sees her paper crane next to Ojiji’s. Will Gigi give up or will she try her best? Author-illustrator Melissa Iwai’s next installment in this I Can Read series encourages readers to try a new activity and to never give up.Gigi and Ojiji: Perfect Paper Cranes is a Level Three I Can Read book, which is geared toward kids who read on their own but still need a little help. The story contains several Japanese words, a glossary, and instructions on how to fold a paper puppy.Praise for Gigi and Ojiji:"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this ­enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young ­readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." —School Library Journal (starred review)"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi’s big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." —ALA Booklist (starred review)"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." —Kirkus ReviewsA 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor titleEl día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023ALSC Notable 2023CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5–9 beginning reader category (2023)A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Just in time for Easter, a moving exploration of hope, from its resilient roots to its sprouting—and surprising!—possibilities.When Eva's hopes for a cheerful flower garden are dashed by a rascally—and hungry! —rabbit, she sinks into despair. But it's from this new vantage point that she discovers something surprising and wonderful about her four-legged-nemesis that reminds Eva of her own growing family and inspires her to try again.Told in sweet, lyrical verse, and accompanied by  the tenderest illustrations, Hope is a Hop shares a powerful message and the heart-tugging illustrations and bunny rabbit motif make it a natural pick for Easter gifting.

Relish in the savory, tangy, and sometimes spicy dishes of Cecilia Chiang, a revolutionary who changed the way Americans viewed Chinese food.From an early age, Cecilia Chiang could be found delighting in the sounds and smells from her favorite room in her home-the kitchen. Little did Cecilia know that she would one day have to escape war and travel to a faraway country, destined to change Chinese cuisine in the United States forever.Experience the dishes Cecilia Chiang enjoyed throughout her life as the seventh daughter in a large family to the owner of the famous Mandarin restaurant in San Francisco.

In this heartwarming picture book, a girl and her mama discover joy and friendship through the art of Bob Ross and his happy little treesRima and her mama have moved far across the world to a new home. Now, everything feels dark and gray, and Mama doesn't smile like she used to.But when Rima discovers the painter on television, everything changes. His soft voice and crunching brush inspire Rima to create art. And soon, Rima and Mama paint their own world in their new home.

At times, all children need a little help getting along with others and respecting differences—at school, in the neighborhood, at home, and on the playground. Teaching tolerance and encouraging acts of kindness through clear words and charming illustrations, We Can Get Along supports children’s development with simple yet essential skills for conflict resolution and peacemaking. The book includes activities and discussion questions that teachers, parents, and other adults can use to further explore the topic with young children.

Young children need support and encouragement as they learn to value themselves and recognize their own worth—“not because of the things I do, not because of what I look like, not because of what I have . . . just because I am.” This book of sweet, simple affirmations for children helps them respect their bodies, acknowledge their own needs, and name their feelings. Just Because I Am invites little ones to love, accept, and feel good about themselves exactly as they are. A special section for parents, teachers, and caregivers includes activities and discussion questions to use with children.

Help little ones build self-esteem and self-confidence in both English and Spanish.This English-Spanish bilingual book of sweet, simple affirmations for children helps them respect their bodies, acknowledge their needs, name their feelings, and build their self-esteem. Just Because I Am/Solo porque soy yo invites little ones to love, accept, and feel good about themselves exactly as they are. A section for adults includes activities and discussion questions in both languages.

Teach little ones basic conflict resolution and peacemaking skills in both English and Spanish.At times, all children need help getting along with others and respecting differences. Teaching tolerance and encouraging acts of kindness through clear words and charming illustrations, this English-Spanish bilingual version of We Can Get Along/Podemos llevarnos bien supports children’s development with skills for conflict resolution and peacemaking. The book includes activities and discussion questions in both languages.

The world is full of people who are a little different. Our uniqueness makes us who we are. We are all 'different; not less'. This is a collection of the true stories of 40 inspirational figures from around the world, all of whom are physically or neurologically diverse. Each story includes struggles and triumphs, a motivational quote and information on each condition.Reflective of our diverse society, this book features Simone Biles, Selena Gomez, Temple Grandin, Warwick Davis, Daniel Radcliffe, Ellie Simmonds, Greta Thunberg and many more.

None of the panda books are ever about red pandas!Red wants to change that.When Red discovers a new book about pandas, she can't wait to read it! Except it's about only one kind of panda, and red pandas are completely left out. Red never gets to read stories about pandas like herself! So she decides to take matters into her own paws and write her own book.But when Red looks around, it seems like the only kind of pandas the world sees are the black and white kind. Will anyone want to read about red pandas? It's up to Red to finish her story and find out...

An anthology of 40 inspirational figures who are neurologically or physically diverse. The world is full of people who are a little different.

This board book takes the youngest visitors on a tour of Yosemite National Park's BIG sights, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and Tuolumne Meadows. Yosemite is a big place for little people, but with a whimsical bear and squirrel as their guides, children will feel right at home in their national park.

It's the little things that matter in this whimsical romp in Yosemite National Park.A bear and a chickaree help the youngest visitors notice tiny natural treasures, like a wee Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, a dainty alpine shooting star, a surprisingly teensy giant sequoia cone, and more. Small children will appreciate that everyone, even a bear, feels small in the big park. And at the end of a busy day it’s best to leave only little footprints in beautiful Yosemite.