by Amy Lin
First published 2014
Bayan Shimizu transforms grief into wordplay after losing his younger brother Lakas on Christmas Day 2013. Through more than ninety-five carefully crafted puns accompanied by twelve illustrations, Shimizu channels his love of language into a tribute that celebrates wit over sorrow. Each page delivers verbal surprises that showcase his imagination and linguistic dexterity. The collection serves a dual purpose: entertaining readers while supporting the Lakas Shimizu Philanthropy Fund, which provides educational opportunities for underprivileged children. What begins as playful manipulation of words becomes something deeper, as Shimizu discovers that humor can coexist with loss, and that creativity can emerge from the most difficult circumstances.
Genres: literary-fiction, humor, contemporary, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family
Period: 2013
62 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform