Out September 28, It’s OK, Slow Lizard is a soothing book that serves as “a picture-perfect reminder to slow down when anxiety creeps in” (Mary Wahlmeier Bracciano, Raven Book Store). From South Korean author and illustrator Yeorim Yoon and Jian Kim, the story is narrated by Slow Lizard, a lovely little reptile who helps his friends calm down and feel better. Named a Kids’ Indie Next Pick by independent booksellers, this picture book invites us to live mindfully and find more space for friendship, happiness, and calm.
Below, read the author’s and illustrator’s notes and take a peek inside the magical colored-pencil world of It’s OK, Slow Lizard.
Author’s Note
Slow Lizard makes room for the feelings of others in a calm, gentle way.
And friends help Slow Lizard too.
It’s nice to have friends like these.
Everyone can make someone happy in their very own way.
Maybe today I’ll have a fragrant cup of flower tea with a friend, just like Slow Lizard.
Yeorim Yoon is from Ulsan, South Korea. She is a former editor of children’s books at various publishers as well as the Samsung Children’s Museum in Seoul. She currently lives in San Diego, where she leads a life that is both busy and slow as a mother and author of children’s books.
Illustrator’s Note
I enjoy writing and illustrating picture books in my little office every day.
It takes a long time to write and illustrate a book, but spending time this way makes me happy.
Let me tell you a secret: tiny animal friends are hiding throughout these pages.
Can you spot a ladybug, a snail, and a mole? Can you find any others?
Take your time looking at each page and say hi to your new friends.
Jian Kim is an artist and illustrator of children’s books from Seoul, South Korea. She studied animation in college and became interested in picture books after encountering the work of Anthony Browne. She lives in Incheon.
About the Book
About the Author
Yeorim Yoon is from Ulsan, South Korea. She is a former editor of children’s books at various publishers as well as the Samsung Children’s Museum in Seoul. She currently lives in San Diego, where she leads a life that is both busy and slow as a mother and author of children’s books.
About the Illustrator
Jian Kim is an artist and illustrator of children’s books from Seoul, South Korea. She studied animation in college and became interested in picture books after encountering the work of Anthony Browne. She lives in Incheon.
About the Translator
Chi-Young Kim is an award-winning literary translator and editor based in Los Angeles. A recipient of the Man Asian Literary Prize (2011), she has translated more than a dozen books, including works by Kyung-sook Shin, You-jeong Jeong, Young-ha Kim, and Ae-ran Kim.
by Yeorim Yoon
Illustrations by Jian Kim
Translated from the Korean by Chi-Young Kim
Yonder: Restless Books for Young Readers | Ages 3–6
A September/October 2021 Kids’ Indie Next Pick
In a lush, sun-dappled forest, animal friends discover the advantages of living slowly, in this soothing picture book from beloved South Korean author and illustrator Yeorim Yoon and Jian Kim.
Hardcover ISBN: 9781632062772
Publication date: Sep 28, 2021