{"product_id":"kimi-the-ballerina-9781662509087","title":"Kimi the Ballerina","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJoin Kimi as she pirouettes onto the basketball court in this relatable story inspired by author Korey Watari's experiences and illustrated by her husband, Mike Wu, former Pixar artist and creator of the Ellie series.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKimi just wants to focus on ballet, but she knows her dad really wants her to join the basketball team. Trying new things makes Kimi feel small, quiet, and uneasy. So her dad makes her a deal: If she gives basketball a try, he might just trade his sneakers for ballet slippers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKimi gives it a shot. At first it seems like all she is doing is fumbling, tumbling, and missing baskets. But her dad only encourages her more. Then he shares a story about her grandfather's famous moves on a Japanese American basketball team and why the sport is so special to their family. It's just the motivation that Kimi needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd what happens when Kimi takes some of her ballet skills over to basketball? Find out in this heartfelt story that's perfect for dancers and sports lovers alike, or anyone who's had to try something new.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Korey Watari\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Two Lions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 40\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.88lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.26h x 9.40w x 0.34d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781662509087\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAudience:\u003c\/b\u003e Ages 4-8\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/09\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWatari, Korey:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eHusband-and-wife team Korey Watari and Mike Wu live in Los Angeles with their two lively daughters. Their first picture book together, \u003ci\u003eI Am Able to Shine\u003c\/i\u003e, was a Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award honoree and a Goodreads Choice Award nominee.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKorey is a sansei, or third-generation Japanese American, born and raised in Los Angeles. She played basketball for a Japanese American league; graduated from the University of California, Riverside; and studied at the Fashion Institute of Design \u0026amp; Merchandising. Korey has worked in the animation and fashion industries for companies such as Disney and the Gap. Learn more at www.koreywatari.com or follow her on Instagram at @tinyteru.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMike is the author and illustrator of the acclaimed bestselling Ellie series, the first picture book of which was named one of NPR's best books of the year. He is also a former Pixar artist and has worked on films including \u003ci\u003eThe Incredibles\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eRatatouille\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eUp\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eToy Story 3\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eCoco\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eSoul\u003c\/i\u003e. His illustrations have been hailed as \"reminiscent of classics like \u003ci\u003eHarry the Dirty Dog\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCurious George\u003c\/i\u003e.\" Visit him at www.theartofmikewu.com or on Instagram at @wudog23.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Korey Watari \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":47897158942877,"sku":"9781662509087","price":22.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_6b608516-17b9-4b4a-bea9-45893efe9638.jpg?v=1778003072","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/kimi-the-ballerina-9781662509087","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}