I’m thrilled to celebrate the book birthday of Barbed Wire Between Us today! It’s the story of my heart. I wanted to tell the story of a Japanese grandmother standing outside the Kids in Cages ever since I saw haunting images in the media during Trump’s first administration. My early attempts were dark and definitely…
Thank you to children’s book expert Dr. Susannah Richards for featuring Barbed Wire Between Us as a Conversation Starter in the Publisher Spotlight series, Books to Ignite & Delight Young Readers. Discover 20+ books sure to ignite and delight young people in this 45-minute webinar with acclaimed children’s book expert Dr. Susannah Richards. Learn strategies…
I am thrilled that Betsy Bird reviewed Red Comet Press’s entire Spring and Fall catalog on School Library Journal. Here’s her review of Barbed Wire Between Us: Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, ill. Violeta Encarnación ISBN: 9781636551920 Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Isn’t that cover just jaw-dropping? This is a complex…
It is such an honor to win the California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award for Fortune Cookies for Everyone! Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Smithsonian): The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage, and published by Red Comet Press An investigative picture book which cracks the…
I’m excited to announce the release of my newest picture book, scheduled for October 13, 2026. I struggled for a long time to write a picture book biography about Yuri Kochiyama. Most people haven’t heard of her. She preferred to help in the background and not be front and center. Most people have heard of…
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…