The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Anita Yasuda

Anita Yasuda earned her honors degree in East Asian and South Asian studies at the University of Toronto, Victoria College, and her Montessori and Early Childhood qualifications at the AMI Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia. After graduating, Anita worked many jobs, from preschool teacher, salesclerk, caterer, firefighter (for one day), freelance magazine writer, and authoring books for educational publishers. 

She lives in the rolling hills of Ontario with her family. Her dog, Lenny, keeps her company as she writes stories at her desk or on long hikes in the woods. When she is not writing or hiking, Anita can be found visiting family in Japan and meeting fascinating people all over the world. 

Anita is the author of Diwali: A Festival Of Joy, illustrated by Darshika Varma (8/2024), as well as many other books for young readers.

Her newest picture book, Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life In The Mountains, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, is released on September 24th.

Welcome Anita,

Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite type of book to write?)

I don’t remember a time when I was not making up stories. As a young child, I loved creating and directing plays like the character Carmen in Lights, Camera, Carmen! I had a big personality, for sure. Unlike Carmen, I never asked anyone to be a lamp! I was lucky to have sympathetic friends willing to act my plays out.

I continued writing while I taught in Japan and later in Canada. I wrote articles for parenting and Homeschooling magazines on subjects including stargazing and backyard archeology based on the midden we discovered when renovating our late-1800s home before writing my first book on outer space for Nomad Press in Vermont. They were a fantastic company to write for. I loved these books because they also incorporate crafts and activities. I used my teaching experience and experience as a mom and aunt to create engaging activities for children. I started pursuing picture book writing before the pandemic after attending an SCBWI event in Montreal, Canada.

I write early in the morning when the house is quiet. In the warmer months, I have a studio my husband built for me in the garden. It is a beautiful space where I can focus on writing. I enjoy crafting picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and verse novels; each genre offers a unique challenge.

It's wonderful to meet you, Anita! Who was your favorite author, illustrator, and/or your favorite book as a child? 

When I was very young, my favorite picture book was Bread and Jam for Francis by Rusell and Lillian Hoban. I still remember how holding that book felt- like a warm bowl of soup on a cold day.

In the story, Frances, a badger, is a picky eater, much like I was. My poor mother had to bring peanut butter sandwiches to restaurants for me. It is a wonder she didn't leave me with my grandmother.

I loved that Frances made up little songs to her food including:

"Jam for snacks and jam for meals

I know how a jam jar feels –

FULL ... OF ... JAM!"

The descriptions of Frances's best friend Albert's lunch made this fussy eater want to try more wonderful foods. A cup of custard and a lobster salad sandwich? Yes, please!

That's funny. I know many parents who did something similar or only went to restaurants that served fries. What was your inspiration or spark of interest for Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life In The Mountains? How did you first learn about Junko Tabei? 

My journey with Junko Tabei's story began in the 1980s. I was a high school student in Yokohama, Japan, participating in a Rotary Club school exchange program. It was a fantastic experience that changed the course of my life. I remember reading about Junko and her climbing adventures at that time.

When Junko was a child, she climbed with a school group at Nikko National Park. She was impressed with the smell of sulfur, the rocks, the view! It was so different from her home in Miharu, Fukushima. The experience inspired Junko to see, do, and climb more.

Likewise, I was able to do the same climb in high school, and it inspired a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Over the years, I read articles and news stories about Junko, especially her work with young people from triple disaster-hit Fukushima in 2011. As a former educator, I always look for inspiring figures like Junko Tabei to share with children.

I love that you shared her story with many who do know about her! Although I haven't climbed at Nikko National Park, I was fortunate to visit the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko and wander a bit in the Park, in 2009. The area is amazing. How long did it take from the first draft to publication for Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei?

I began working on my first draft of Up, Up, Ever Up! before the pandemic. I wrote those early drafts longhand in a notebook. As the story took shape, I thought about the manuscript and reviewed awkward story points during long walks around my local lake. The lake is my favourite place to work on my stories.

I revised the manuscript many times before signing up for a six-week biography class taught by author Nancy Churnin at the Writing Barn. The class was online, and I met many other writers for young children and adults during the class, some of whom I still call friends. Nancy was an excellent and generous instructor. She offered insightful feedback, which I incorporated into my manuscript. I also shared a version with writing friends and the Word Weavers, my critique group.

Once I had a version I was satisfied with, I sent it to my agent, Lori Steel. We worked on it a little more before sending it to a small group of editors. I am unsure exactly when we heard from Harriet Low at Clarion, now part of Harper Collins. I was thrilled, of course, when my agent called with the good news that Harriet had offered on the manuscript. We worked together on the manuscript, but when Harriet left, Kate O'Sullivan became my new editor. Kate and I did additional work on the manuscript before it was shared with illustrator Yuko Shimizu.

How long did it take to find or create the wonderful refrain which became part of the title of Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei?

Creating the refrain was not that difficult. It was probably one of the first ideas I had for the book. I believe I came up with it while walking. Honestly, I think I have my best ideas while in motion.

Nice! It's a great refrain and I can see how it helped shape the structure of the book. What was the toughest aspect of writing Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei? And what was the most fun part of writing this book?

The most challenging part of writing about Junko Tabei was the research. Junko authored many books about her climbing experiences. While I can read Japanese, it is not my first, second, or even third language. It takes me a long time to read a page. So, I focused on two autobiographies, read countless newspaper and magazine articles from Japan, the United States, and Nepal, and watched many interviews with her. Then, I reached out to her colleagues, who generously shared their memories of her.

The most fun part of writing this book has been meeting Junko's colleagues and visiting Nikko National Park, where Junko climbed as an elementary student.

I'm impressed you can read Japanese! It's so cool you got to meet her colleagues. When you first saw Yuko Shimizu’s illustrations did anything surprise or amaze you? Which is your favorite spread, or one you really like?  

Text © Anita Yasuda, 2024. Image © Yuko Shimizu, 2024.

I was amazed by Yuko Shimizu's illustrations and feel very fortunate that she agreed to illustrate this manuscript. She has brought so much depth, heart, and layers to this story. I know Yuko researched intensely for this book, and it shows in all the minute details, from the team working on their gear and Junko's mother's kimono to the individual faces of the Nepali children and the harrowing avalanche scene, which still takes my breath away. I don't have a favorite scene. They are all fantastic. I could frame each spread.

I agree. Each illustration is stunning and a work of art! How did writing Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei differ from others you’ve written?

In educational publishing, the publisher identifies a need in the market. Their editors put together a list of titles attached to specific series. So, there could be a series on the States, for example, natural disasters, a historical period, or a more general topic such as inventors. Then, the publisher approaches the writers to see if they will write one or more titles within a series. So, you do not come up with the topic.

When working in trade, you decide who, what, when, and where you want to write about. I wanted to write about Junko Tabei, so I began researching her.

However, there are some similarities between educational and trade publishing. Authors should consider why this event, person, or topic would appeal to a child, just like an educational editorial team would before commissioning a series. Authors might also want to consider how educators could use their book and story layers to make it more appealing. When writing my Taylor Swift biography, I didn't think about unique selling points, but they are essential in trade.

Interesting. Thank you for sharing the differences. What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript?

I love writing while walking around my local lake and through the maple sugarbush. It is a peaceful walk and the best place to work through story problems.

I also work in my writer's shed, which my husband built for me a few years ago. Sometimes, chipmunks visit me, but usually, it is just me and my dog, Lenny. Lenny seems very keen to contribute to my manuscripts. LOL I need to write a picture book featuring him.

But when my daughter was much younger, I learned to write a few lines while waiting in the school parking lot, at Kumon, during swim lessons, and when the house was quiet- those stolen moments before everyone else was awake.

I hope Lenny gets his own book or a feature role in a book, one day. Is there anything special you want your readers to know about Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei ?

I hope readers feel inspired to reach for their dreams because they can achieve them if they set their minds to them, one step at a time, UP UP—EVER UP!

Wonderful inspiration! Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

I have a few more projects coming over the next few years. I have a project on Bollywood dancing with Kids Can Press coming out in 2026. The pandemic delayed this book, but I'm excited that it has a talented illustrator, Devika Oza, attached to the project. Devika's vibrant illustrations perfectly match my lyrical text. I can't wait to share the cover with everyone.

I also have other unannounced projects in the works, and I'm super excited about a 2025 poetry anthology project that includes a sports poem about an athlete I've long admired.

Intriguing! We will definitely need to keep our eyes open for more books from you. What is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why? 

I lived in California for ten years and was lucky enough to have visited many state parks. We also drove across the United States roughly 16 times. I loved the incredible scenery of the Arches in Utah. Colorado was also a favorite part of the drive, with its stunning scenery and old mining towns. I am back in Ontario, where I love hiking in Algonquin Park. What I love about Algonquin is that it brings back memories of walking here with my father, who has passed away. My husband and I usually visit the park in autumn, and it is extra beautiful during this season.

Thank you, Anita for sharing about yourself and your new picture book with us.

Be sure to come back Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF post on Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life In The Mountains.

For more information about Anita Yasuda, or to contact her:

Website: https://www.anitayasuda.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anita.yasuda/

*If you are available, check out Anita's virtual and live book launch or other reading events:

Virtual launch with author Nadia Salomon on September 24th. @nadiasalomon.author DM for Evite.

Storytime Sprint on September 25th.  Registration link: @storytimesprint

Highlights Instagram live September 27th at noon EST. Link: https://www.instagram.com/highlightsfound/?hl=en

Book Launch with illustrator Yuko Shimizu. September 29th at 11:30AM ET at the Books of Wonder NY 17th Street Location

Reach New Heights with This Storytime!

Learn all about the first woman to summit Mount Everest in Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains, the gorgeous new picture book by ANITA YASUDA & illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist YUKO SHIMIZU! In this trailblazing title, we meet Junko Tabei, who dreamed of a life climbing mountains. But men refused to climb with her. Sponsors told her to stay home. And gloves were not made to fit her hands. However, Junko was eager and unstoppable and wouldn’t let these obstacles get in her way!