Pina explores the haunted country of the imagination where children struggle to place themselves in the big scary world. Pina’s fear to venture out of his little house into the wide world will resonate with timid kids. The techniques he uses to overcome his fear—mindful breathing, thinking of his favorite things, carrying a familiar, comforting object with him when he leaves the house—will prove useful to many children.

Elif Yemenici opened her eyes to the world on the morning of March 4 to catch up with the arrival of spring. Throughout her childhood, her favorite possession was her crayon box. She loved the scent of that box. She painted the songs she composed on her organ, then sang the songs to her pictures. In order not to leave the colors and art papers she loved so much, she graduated from Eskişehir Anatolian High School’s Painting Department and then from Anatolian University Fine Arts Faculty’s Printing Arts Department and Communication Faculty’s Cinema and Television Department, meanwhile writing and illustrating stories for children’s magazines and participating in exhibitions at home and abroad. Since graduation she has devoted herself to creating picture books and has illustrated more than 80 books to date. The first book she wrote and illustrated, Eyvah Kalbim Kırıldı! (Oops, My Heart Is Broken!), was selected for the White Ravens list of the world’s most important children’s books and has been widely translated. She creates new illustrations in her home in Istanbul, accompanied by the laughter of seagulls. To find out more about Elif, visit www.elifyemenici.com/elifyemenici.

Sidney Wade is a poet and translator residing in Gainesville, Florida, and a professor of poetry at the University of Florida. Her volumes of poetry include Deep Gossip, Stroke, Bird Book, Green, Straits & Narrows, Empty Sleeves, and Celestial Bodies.

One of the 101 Great Books for Kids in 2022 - Evanston Public Library

“A true adventure in plot and art—every page turn brings another exciting discovery to treasure. The illustration detail is exceptionally lifelike. Pina sparkles with enchantment from beginning to end.” - Shelf Awareness

“The vivid, even immersive text crackles. The art soars to another level of moody inventiveness. The result is a visual feast, with each page turn a surprise.” - Mr. Brian’s Picture Book Picks

“A marvelous example of what the best picture books are capable of doing. Pina is a little treasure worth discovering. Bring it into your home and keep it safe from harm. One of my top picture books of the year.” - Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal