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2021 ALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Best Picture Book

“A gorgeous picture book biography about an unsung hero of animation and Chinese American history.”

– Booklist, Starred Review

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist

Written by Julie Leung
Illustrated by Chris Sasaki
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books

An inspiring picture-book biography of animator Tyrus Wong, the Chinese American immigrant responsible for bringing Disney’s Bambi to life.

Before he became an artist named Tyrus Wong, he was a boy named Wong Geng Yeo. He traveled across a vast ocean from China to America with only a suitcase and a few papers. Not papers for drawing–which he loved to do–but immigration papers to start a new life. Once in America, Tyrus seized every opportunity to make art, eventually enrolling at an art institute in Los Angeles. Working as a janitor at night, his mop twirled like a paintbrush in his hands. Eventually, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime–and using sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors, Tyrus created the iconic backgrounds of Bambi.

Julie Leung and Chris Sasaki perfectly capture the beautiful life and work of a painter who came to this country with dreams and talent–and who changed the world of animation forever.

Primary ISBN: 9781524771874
Publication Date: September 2019
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Nonfiction, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , ,

Setting: China, 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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