Miki Sato – Illustratör

Cheerful rhyme celebrates the varied aspects of snow from a preschooler’s perspective.First snow, surprise snow:Nature’s sparkly magic showFor small children, snow is a wonder. It sparkles and glitters. It transforms the outside world. Every kind of snow brings its own magic. It invites snow angels, skating, fort-building, and snowballs. Even blizzard days are exciting, when routines are overturned and everyone bands together to clear the snow away. For the youngest among us, winter is magical.In Snow Days, author Deborah Kerbel captures that magic with nimble couplets that celebrate every kind of winter pleasure. Illustrator Miki Sato’s fascinating textural collage art looks intimately touchable. She recreates the coziness and spectacle of the season in paper, felt, and embroidery silk, creating masterpieces that invite readers to look again and again.

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.

With more enticing collage art and sparkling rhyme from the creators of Snow Days, a preschooler’s celebration of sunny weather and all the activities it makes possibleMorning sun, golden skiesSoftly waking sleepy eyesFor preschoolers, sunny days are full of possibility. A sunbeam on the ground is the perfect place to curl up with a furry friend, and warming weather means seeds in the garden, mud pies in the yard, adventures at the beach, and ice cream in the shade. Evening brings the silly fun of watching little shadows stretch out long, and there’s nothing so cozy as watching the sun set as a family.In Sunny Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again weaves a spell of early childhood magic with couplets as bright as a summer afternoon. Illustrator Miki Sato’s textural collage art nearly rises from the page with fascinating features made from paper, felt, and embroidery silk.

Blustery wind burns and shrieksNibbles on my nose and cheeksFor preschoolers, windy fall days mean excitement and play. Strong winds stimulate children and their surroundings, as though an invisible hand is shaking the world. Gentler breezes help plants scatter their seeds, set pinwheels in motion, and keep kite strings taut. But fiercer winds begin to sting the cheeks as they bring about a new season…In Windy Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again captures the magic of early childhood awe and wonder with rhyming couplets as light as a breath of fresh air. Illustrator Miki Sato's unique tactile collage art pops off the page through its detailed use of hand-stitching and textural materials."Kerbel’s couplets include both concrete details and more poetic abstractions. Sato's deceptively simple illustrations are almost tangible in their layers, showcasing an array of stitches, paper finishes, and fabric surfaces, and depicting an inclusive cast."—Publishers Weekly review of Snow Days

First snow, surprise snow:Nature's sparkly magic showThe award-winning celebration of preschoolers and snow is now available as a board book!For small children, snow is a wonder. It sparkles and glitters. It transforms the outside world. Every kind of snow brings its own magic. It invites snow angels, skating, fort-building, and snowballs. Even blizzard days are exciting, when routines are overturned and everyone bands together to clear the snow away. For the youngest among us, winter is magical.In Snow Days, author Deborah Kerbel captures that magic with nimble couplets that Kirkus Reviews calls "a playful celebration of wintry weather." Illustrator Miki Sato's fascinating textural collage art, called "deceptively simple" by Publishers Weekly, looks intimately touchable. She recreates the coziness and spectacle of the season in paper, felt, and embroidery silk, creating masterpieces that invite readers to look again and again.With a diverse cast of children, a closing spread of five age-appropriate STEM experiments, and a sturdy Toddler Tough board book format, Snow Days will invite repeated reads everywhere from lap time to story time to bedtime.

Sunny rain sparkling showersWater for our trees and flowersFor preschoolers, rainy weather is full of possibility. A puddle in the back yard is just waiting for a stomp in rubber rain boots. A light drizzle is perfect for a search-and-rescue mission for worms and snails. And watching a heavy rainfall makes sitting inside with a warm bowl of soup all the cozier.In Rainy Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again captures the magic of early childhood awe and wonder with rhyming couplets that celebrate every kind of rainy-day activity. Illustrator Miki Sato’s unique tactile collage art nearly rises from the page with fascinating features made from paper, felt, and embroidery silk. A final page includes enriching STEM activities inquisitive little ones. Rainy Days is the fourth book in the Weather Days collection that includes the critically-acclaimed titles Snow Days, Sunny Days, and Windy Days.

Morning sun, golden skiesSoftly waking sleepy eyesThe critically-acclaimed celebration of summertime fun is now back in a new board book format!For preschoolers, sunny days are full of possibility. A sunbeam on the floor is the perfect place to curl up with a furry friend, and warming weather means seeds in the garden, mud pies in the yard, adventures at the beach, and ice cream in the shade. Evening brings the silly fun of watching little shadows stretch out long, and there’s nothing so cozy as watching the sun set as a family.In Sunny Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again weaves a spell of early childhood magic with couplets as bright as a summer afternoon. Illustrator Miki Sato’s textural collage art nearly rises from the page with fascinating features made from paper, felt, and embroidery silk. “These charming couplets about fun in the sun will have their appeal to lap sitters…. With its padded cover, rounded corners, and thick pages, this eye-catching yet simple look at sunshine will suit all collections that serve toddlers.”—School Library Journal **Starred Review**

Breathtaking collage art and exquisite rhyming couplets showcase fantastical dreams as the natural world is prepared for a new day in this gentle bedtime book.As the day ends and a little girl is put to sleep by her mother, night-helper bunnies work their magic to tidy and polish the world. These helpers paint flowers, dust butterflies, and charge rainbows to make the world a beautiful place to wake up to.Miki Sato’s collage art, which combines paper, textiles, and embroidery silk, creates a three-dimensional dream world that is rich in detail and texture. Jennifer Maruno uses soothing rhyming couplets that celebrate the beauty of nature, creating a uniquely magical world.

Blustery wind burns and shrieks Nibbles on my nose and cheeks For preschoolers, windy fall days mean excitement and play. Strong winds stimulate children and their surroundings, as though an invisible hand is shaking the world. Gentler breezes help plants scatter their seeds, set pinwheels in motion, and keep kite strings taut. But fiercer winds begin to sting the cheeks as they bring about a new season… In Windy Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again captures the magic of early childhood awe and wonder with rhyming couplets as light as a breath of fresh air. Illustrator Miki Sato’s unique tactile collage art pops off the page through its detailed use of hand-stitching and textural materials.

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.

Sunny rain sparkling showersWater for our trees and flowersFor preschoolers, rainy weather is full of possibility. A puddle in the back yard is just waiting for a stomp in rubber rain boots. A light drizzle is perfect for a search-and-rescue mission for worms and snails. And watching a heavy rainfall makes sitting inside with a warm bowl of soup all the cozier.In Rainy Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again captures the magic of early childhood awe and wonder with rhyming couplets that celebrate every kind of rainy-day activity. Illustrator Miki Sato’s unique tactile collage art nearly rises from the page with fascinating features made from paper, felt, and embroidery silk. A final page includes enriching STEM activities inquisitive little ones. Rainy Days is the fourth book in the Weather Days collection that includes the critically-acclaimed titles Snow Days, Sunny Days, and Windy Days. “I cannot resist a clever bit of paper cutting, no matter how hard I want to… Layered paper illustrations by Sato expertly provide the color you need in a book with such gray skies.”—School Library Journal, Fuse 8“Starting with the rain and how that can sadden kids, to finding the joy in things that kids can still (or only) do in the rain. Taking something that might make them sad and giving them ideas to have fun is always a good lesson for all of us, kids and parents. The illustrations are neat and clear, with details that enhance without distracting the reader.”—Youth Services Book Review

Breathtaking collage art and exquisite rhyming couplets showcase fantastical dreams as the natural world is prepared for a new day in this gentle bedtime book.As the day ends and a little girl is put to sleep by her mother, night-helper bunnies work their magic to tidy and polish the world. These helpers paint flowers, dust butterflies, and charge rainbows to make the world a beautiful place to wake up to. Miki Sato’s collage art, which combines paper, textiles, and embroidery silk, creates a three-dimensional dream world that is rich in detail and texture. Jennifer Maruno uses soothing rhyming couplets that celebrate the beauty of nature, creating a uniquely magical world.★“A peek into the busy Land of Nod….Maruno narrates in flawless and immersive rhyming verse….Readers will linger over each tiny, essential detail—nothing is extraneous….the text and art are expertly stitched together, each visible and impactful on their own and interwoven into a bewitching whole. A perfect bedtime selection for eye-catching, vibrantly colorful dreams.”—Kirkus ★ Starred Review★“[I]nspired and original….”—Quill & Quire ★ Starred Review“It’s a cozy, positive bedtime story sure to please parents and children alike.”—School Library Journal“There’s much to engage and charm in this whimsical, sweet, and reassuring bedtime read.”—Booklist“Rhyming couplets create a whimsical melody while the collage art illustrations will captivate children with their colorful layers and textures….”—Foreword Reviews

Hana is at school when the devastating tsunami sweeps over Japan. But when the dark wave finally returns to the ocean, it has taken more than Hana could have ever imagined.Hana’s school sits on the side of a hill with a view of the ocean. One day, while in class, a tsunami drags the ocean across her village. Hana watches in horror as the dark water crashes into trees and tosses cars and boats around. When she is finally reunited with her family, she learns that the wave has taken more than she could have ever imagined. To cope with her grief, Hana begins to paint chidori (a thousand birds).Miki Sato’s collage art, which combines paper, textiles, and watercolor, creates a three-dimensional world that is rich in emotion, detail, and texture.Jennifer Maruno writes with compassion and heart, bringing life to this story inspired by true events.