New from Allen Say

A local Portland treasure, Allen Say, has just published his newest picture book, Erika-San, and it is gorgeous! The book tells the story of an American girl's discoveries while visiting Japan. The author was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937 and moved to the United States at age 16. One of his earlier books, Grandfather's Journey, received the Caldecott Medal in 1994. Mr. Say says when he's working on a book he often doesn't get out of the house for days, and that "the finished book often surprises me, and that's the excitement." He is truly a wonderful author/illustrator, and this book is another to be treasured.