A Boy Named Isamu

Written by James Yang

A young artist sees the world anew, where stones and birds transform in his imagination.

3.8 Goodreads · 668 ratings

31 pages· 330 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud· AD500L

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Step into the world of young Isamu, a budding artist who sees magic in the mundane. As he wanders through markets, forests, and along the ocean, stones become birds and birds become stones. This journey through his imagination invites readers to see the world through an artist's eyes, where every object holds a secret waiting to be discovered. What wonders will Isamu uncover next?

From the publisher

Awarded an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Picture Book Honor, this stunning picture book brings to life the imagination of Japanese American artist, Isamu Noguchi. (Cover image may vary.) If you are Isamu, stones are the most special of all.How can they be so heavy?Would they float if they had no weight? Winner of the Theordor Seuss Geisel Award in 2020 for Stop! Bot!, James Yang imagines a day in the boyhood of Japanese American artist, Isamu Noguchi. Wandering through an outdoor market, through the forest, and then by the ocean, Isamu sees things through the eyes of a young artist . . .but also in a way that many children will relate. Stones look like birds. And birds look like stones. Through colorful artwork and exquisite text, Yang translates the essence of Noguchi so that we can all begin to see as an artist sees.