Forthcoming: May 21, 2024
979-8-89013-012-9 (hardcover) / $19.95
979-8-89013-013-6 (e-book) / $11.99
40 pages
Children’s picture book/juvenile fiction
Ezra is a seven-year-old boy who likes cheese-flavored ice cream, flying off the couch with his superhero cape, and peeling dried glue off his fingers. And he LOVES making art. Every day at Braddock Elementary, he doodles, draws, paints, and crafts with abandon. When he makes something, the entire world melts away, his heart feels warm, and his entire body wants to wiggle. But there is one problem. Even though he loves making it, no one understands it.
In this heartwarming picture book, little Ezra questions whether he should continue to create when his parents, teachers, and classmates don't seem to get, or even like, his creations. What in the World Is Ezra's Art? explores the question: Can Ezra feel good about his art when no one else does?
PRAISE FOR WHAT IN THE WORLD IS EZRA’S ART
"This is a sweet story of following your passion and believing in yourself no matter what."
—Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic gold medalist ice skater and New York Times best selling children’s author
"A great story for budding artists, Ezra's Art reminds us all not to let others' opinions diminish the joy of creating."
—Grace Lin, bestselling author of A Big Mooncake for Little Star
"Every creator, no matter the age, will relate to Ezra's spark for creating. A sweet tale of believing in yourself even when others may not see it yet."
—Benson Shum, award-winning children's author/illustrator of Anzu the Great Kaiju
"Ezra's Art celebrates the uninhibited joy of creating. Ezra is a hero for everyone brave enough to follow their heart—and their art—wherever their unique spark may lead!"
— Megan and Jorge Lacera, multi-award winning creators of Zombies Don't Eat Veggies
Pre-order What In the World is Ezra’s Art?
About the creators
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Shay writes family-friendly comedic adventure stories featuring Asian American protagonists that want to change their world. She has consulted for technology and healthcare companies including YouTube, Microsoft, Roche, and AbbVie. She is passionate about advocating and uplifting marginalized communities and has started a blog series about the revision process of published authors. This is her first book. She lives with her family in Los Angeles. Shay is of Taiwanese-American descent.
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Eric is a tech executive who has held brand and digital marketing leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies including: Gap Inc., Airbnb, Snapchat, and Nike. His work has garnered Cannes Lions, Webbys, Clios, Shortys, and other awards for marketing and business excellence. Eric's inspiration for this book was his personal experience of being discouraged from creativity when his artistic ability left something to be desired, and he wanted to tell a story that encourages children, including his own, to be creative without fear of judgment. He lives with his family in the Bay Area. Eric is of Filipino- and Japanese-Amercian descent.
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Tara is a Vietnamese American designer working in animation. She has worked in prop design, dolor design, and visual development at studios such as Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon, and Oddbot. Inspired by nature, anime, and all things cute and creepy, she loves playing with shapes and color in her work. When she’s not catching up on her media backlog or spending time with family, you can find her bullet journaling with a cup of milk tea and various let's plays in the background.