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“Anzu, a child of Japanese descent…loves doing origami with her Ojiisan (grandfather). However, Anzu feels out of place at her new school—even when the class starts an origami unit…Ojiisan encourages frustrated Anzu to be patient and to take things “step-by-step, fold-by-fold…Takeyama uses a vibrant, primary palette to underscore Anzu’s emotional journey and depicts a diverse group of students.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Anzu and the Art of Friendship

Written by Moni Ritchie Hadley
Illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama
Published by Albert Whitman & Company

A new student connects with her classmates through origami.

Starting a new school, Anzu struggles to find her place. Starting a new art unit, her class struggles to learn origami. It’s not easy to make friends or to fold tiny paper figures, but with her grandfather’s encouragement, Anzu finds a way to try again even when she doesn’t succeed the first time—and helps her classmates do the same.

Primary ISBN: 9780807561355
Publication Date: June 2023
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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