https://www.katieyamasaki.com/

In this episode of The Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony interviews celebrated author, illustrator, and muralist Katie Yamasaki about her stunning new picture book, Ripples. The conversation dives into the narrative heart of the book, which follows a young girl named Ayla and her Aunt Koko on a river raft journey where small, ordinary acts of neighborhood compassion transform into a collective effort to protect and clean their local environment.

Katie shares how her background painting large-scale public murals shapes her illustration style and informs her exploration of collective care in children’s literature. Teachers, school librarians, and parents will find inspiration and practical insights for using Ripples as a curriculum-aligned resource to introduce themes of environmental stewardship, community mutual aid, and sustainability in the elementary school classroom. Join us for an uplifting look at the bookmaking process behind an inclusive new release that reminds young readers how their own small actions can create massive, positive change in our shared world.

Takeaways

• Collective care
• Impactful storytelling

Chapters

• 00:00 Empowering Young Readers to Affect Change
• 11:35 Integration of Mural Work and Illustration
• 20:13 Self-Perception and Partnership in Artistic Work