Our Story
Sandra and Sofia’s story travels between Minnesota, Japan, and then back again to the United States. Sandra grew up in Minnesota with an enduring love of the whispering pines of Minnesota’s northwoods lake country. Due to her adventurous nature, she traveled to Japan and as cosmic humor dictates, lived in Komatsushima (Little Pine Island) City on Shikoku Island. She raised two children in this rural area of Japan that is cozily tucked in by mountains, rivers, rice fields, and the Pacific Ocean. Sofia grew up in this environment and cherishes the gift of coming from a culture that honors art, beauty, and functionality in every aspect of life.
The love of reading picture books in both Japanese and English has always been a source of joy for Sofia and Sandra. Sofia has been drawing pictures for the stories she and her mom have come up with since she could hold a crayon as well as laugh hysterically at Sandra’s Japanese grammar mistakes.
They both now live in the United States, but continue to seek out places of natural beauty and solace. They are thrilled to have brought this long-held dream of creating a book together to fruition.
Sandra
Sandra Hisakuni is a writer, poet, and English language teacher who has lived and taught in Japan, China, and the United States. She is the author of the award-winning The Northland Beckons: An Illustrated Haiku Journey. She enjoys spending time in the wilderness and with her son and daughter. She lives in Minnesota, wandering between Minneapolis, Duluth, and the end of the Gunflint Trail.
Sofia
Sofia Hisakuni is an illustrator who lives in Minneapolis, MN. Her work is inspired by her upbringing in Japan, Minnesota, and time spent living in California. She enjoys illustrating creatures and nature with a balance of simplicity and charm. Her hand-drawn artwork captures the natural world that is unperformed and whole; small things made significant. Her work lives in the space between worlds—fusing the vast wilderness of Minnesota, warmth of California, and the quiet elegance and modern enchantment of Japan. Her art speaks to the tenderness within all of us.
