Two by Two

Autorentext

Kathleen Blasi writes stories about everyday heroes whose quiet acts of kindness, courage, and perseverance leave a lasting impact. Inspired by real people and the power of curiosity, her books encourage young readers to discover the extraordinary in ordinary lives. A former Co-Director of the Rochester Children's Book Festival and Co-President of Rochester Area Children's Writers & Illustrators, Kathleen is also passionate about nurturing young storytellers through school visits and writing workshops. She lives in western New York with her family, where she continues to write stories that celebrate compassion, connection, and hope. Aya Kakeda is an award-winning illustrator and educator whose whimsical artwork has delighted readers around the world. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Aya now lives and creates in Tokyo, where she brings imaginative worlds to life through richly detailed illustrations. Her work has appeared in books, magazines, and products for clients including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Disney Hyperion Books, Nike, and Nickelodeon. She also teaches illustration, sharing her expertise with the next generation of artists in both Japan and the United States.

Klappentext

Even behind fences built to divide, friendship refused to be confined. Set against the backdrop of World War II, Two by Two: A World War II Friendship Story tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between two young girls—Reiko, a Japanese American child incarcerated with her family, and Mary Frances, who lives just beyond the camp’s barbed-wire fence. Through Reiko’s eyes, readers experience the confusion and injustice of wartime incarceration while discovering how friendship can take root across boundaries designed to keep people apart. As the girls stay true to themselves and to each other, their friendship becomes a quiet source of joy and hope amid uncertainty. With lyrical storytelling and evocative illustrations, this moving picture book illuminates a painful chapter of American history while celebrating resilience, childhood friendship, and our shared humanity. Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and family reading, Two by Two offers an accessible introduction to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and invites meaningful conversations about injustice, belonging, and the bonds that endure despite separation.