A bear-y fun journey around S.F.

A Wish from San Francisco Written and illustrated by Tomoko Maruyama (Shenzhen, China: TMK Design LLC, 2015, 48 pp., $17.99, hard cover) This cheerful picture book, illustrated in pastels and yellow poppies, celebrates the birthday of Maya the Bear. Set in San Francisco, Luke the Bear gathers Maya’s friends all around the city. Leaving his […]

Artist’s story of survival and success against the odds

THE INKER’S SHADOW By Allen Say (New York: Scholastic Press, 2015, 80 pp., $19.99, hardcover) I am fascinated by Allen Say, the renowned painter, author and illustrator of many exquisite books for children. I welcome each of his new books. This one offers a peek into his move from Japan to California at age 15. […]

Novel develops robust wartime female characters, despite some missteps

Editor’s Note: A version of the review was originally printed on www.densho.org/blog. RED BERRIES, WHITE CLOUDS, BLUE SKY By Sandra Dallas, (Ann Arbor, Mich.: Sleeping Bear Press, 2014, 216 pp., $15.95 hardcover, $9.99 paperback, $9.99 PDF, $27.95 hosted ebook) Sandra Dallas’ “Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky” — published in 2014 by Sleeping Bear Press […]