The Discovery of Anime and Manga: The Asian Hall of Fame
By Phil Amara and Oliver Chin
Illustrated by Juan Calle
ISBN: 978-1-59702-146-3
The Discovery of Anime and Manga is the first English children’s picture book on the history of Japanese animation and comics. The third tale in The Asian Hall of Fame series, young readers will join the dynamic trio, Ethan, Emma, and the adorable red panda Dao, on a new adventure to discover amazing inventions from Asia!
In this tale, Ethan and Emma join Dao, who can travel back in time and place, to learn more about the history of Japanese animation and comics. The book bursts into detail about the evolution of anime and manga in Japan and how it began to influence and entertain the whole world. Traveling from 12th century Japan, all the way to the 20th century, they discover how anime and manga all started with paintings, paving the way for print and digital media today such as television, film, and the internet.
The book features a bilingual translation in Japanese and a glossary to teach young readers some phrases in an easy and engaging manner. Co-authors Phil Amara and Oliver Chin have done an incredible job introducing anime and manga to readers along with vibrant comic book illustrations drawn by artist Juan Calle. Calle’s illustrations pop in every single page, from the paintbrush dripping ink, to the characters blending in with well-known anime and manga characters. Calle brings every iconic anime and manga creator and character to life such as Tezuka Osamu (Astro Boy), Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon), Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), Satoshi Tajiri (Pokemon), and the notable “Walt Disney of Japan” himself, Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro). The Discovery of Anime and Manga is a fun page turner that will surely get young readers brimming with curiosity and excitement.
Awesome Asian Americans: 20 Stars Who Made America Amazing
By Phil Amara and Oliver Chin
Illustrated by Juan Calle
ISBN: 978-1-59702-150-0
Phil Amara and Oliver Chin’s latest children’s book, Awesome Asian Americans, fulfills a public craving for content focusing on gifted talent from underrepresented American communities. This book features ten Asian American men and women from diverse backgrounds, all of whom have been undervalued while making notable cultural, economic, and creative contributions.
This book is an engaging read like The Discovery of Anime and Manga, with outstanding comic book illustrations from Juan Calle, and in-depth information about historical and social contexts from the beginning of the 20th century to the 21st century. The book portrays each featured Asian American’s own internal and external struggles living in the United States with multicultural issues such as racism, war, and immigration. Some of them are famous from sports and entertainment industries such as the fierce martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, singer Lea Salonga, and wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. However, there are also those who are not found in textbooks, like Disney illustrator Tyrus Wong, activist Yuri Kochiyama, and federal judge Dolly Gee. The authors made excellent choices of who to include in this book. Each figure’s personal history makes them extraordinary and deserving of the spotlight.
Echoing The Discovery of Anime and Manga, Awesome Asian Americans is so compellingly told and illustrated that children may be inspired to follow in the footsteps of the individuals they meet to become artists, storytellers, and scientists. With both of these books, Immedium inspires a world of imagination with many possibilities for readers to explore. They can choose their own path and rise to the top despite adversaries. May these books give each child hope, strength, resilience and inspiration to fulfill their dreams.
Review by Danica Ronquillo. Editing assistance by Anastasia Chiu.