Yumi and Monster are coming soon…🩷 If you didn’t see my recent instagram post, my debut picture book has a name. It has also technically launched. I’m waiting for official preorders and release dates - as soon as I have them, I will share them with all of you. In the beginning years of sharing the genesis of this picture book idea and concept drawings, I used the temporary name “Monster and Me” until a final title found its way. “Yumi” came along. Yumi is a Japanese and Korean name; a representation of the ethnicities and mutated genes that I am made up of, subsequently causing the progressive muscle-wasting condition I live with and the inspiration behind Yumi and Monster. The forlorn cute monster is the rare disease that follows me around, and together we must embark on a journey to acceptance. My editor and I liked the name Yumi, because it sounds like “you and me” in English. While this story is inspired by my disability, it was important to me that this modern fairytale be for anybody, you and me, who has an uninvited enigma in their life. Yumi and Monster is a story for those who have dealt with life, identity & acceptance struggles, illness, loss, grief, change, and the parts of ourselves we try to avoid. I wanted everybody to be able to see themselves in Yumi. This reel includes sneak peek sculptures (of Yumi). Not only will Yumi and Monster come alive in book form, they will also take physical form as designer vinyl figures. I can’t wait to share everything that I’ve been creatively working for my LA book launch party. Until then, I’ll be sharing little anecdotes like this - from my first book experience, to developing the story, to creating and adapting the style and techniques to my disability. There will be much to share. I hope you will join me in this adventure. 🩷
#KamDraws #YumiAndMonster #kidlit #kidlitart #disabledartist #raredisease #korean #wheelchairlife #wheelchairgirl #childrensbooks #illustrator #adopteevoices #japanese #pink #redhair #artoftheday #reels #artist #disabledandcute #childrensbookillustration #disabilityart #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #chronicillness