We are thrilled to get a starred review for Barbed Wire Between Us from Publishers Weekly! “Via a reverso structure and layered images, Wenjen and Encarnación trace the stories of two children, seemingly generations apart, in a haunting dual narrative of imprisonment and family separation. Spare reportorial lines and visual context clues appear first…
My author copies just arrived! I can’t wait to show you! Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación, and published by Red Comet Press This is the story of my heart. The manuscript that I struggled with for years, which was, at first, much too dark to be a children’s…
I am excited to announce that Barbed Wire Between Us made Kirkus’ list of The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US by Mia Wenjen ; illustrated by Violeta Encarnación ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026 A significant portrayal of ongoing U.S. civil rights violations, exposed through the experiences of young children. Japanese Chinese American…
Today, I’m thrilled to talk to illustrator and artist Violeta Encarnación. She is the illustrator for Barbed Wire Between Us, which is the story of my heart. Our picture book is scheduled for release on March 24, 2026. Q1: What was your journey to becoming a children’s book illustrator? I’ve always loved drawing, but it…
I am so excited to introduce Barbed Wire Between Us, the story of my heart. I think that I have worked on this picture book idea forever … or at least for 7 years. It all came together during the pandemic when I watched a Zoom event featuring picture book storytime at a Long Beach,…