Today we are thrilled to reveal the cover for Today is Different by Doua Moua, illustrated by Kim Holt. The cover art was illustrated by Kim Holt and the cover was designed by Emily Harris. The book will be released on April 5, 2022, by Lerner Publishing Group.
Standing together makes all of us stronger.
Mai, a young Hmong girl, and Kiara, a young Black girl, are best friends. They do everything together—riding the bus, eating lunch, playing at recess. But one day Kiara misses school and Mai goes looking for answers. When she learns that her best friend is protesting an act of police violence against the Black community, Mai decides to join the protest too. Her parents at first want to protect her by keeping her at home, but she shows them that standing together makes all of us stronger.
A powerful look at friendship, solidarity, and protest from actor and debut author Doua Moua, with colorful, expressive illustrations by Kim Holt. The author and publisher will be making donations to organizations supporting the Black and Asian communities upon publication.
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Doua Moua is an actor and screenwriter who has appeared on TV and in films, including the role of Po in Disney’s live-action Mulan. While writing Today is Different, some of his inspiration came from growing up as a first-generation Hmong American and recognizing a divide between older and younger family members. He often says, “If we are brave today, there will be a better and brighter future for our children tomorrow.” He lives in Los Angeles with his dog, PoPo. Learn more about Doua online at www.douamoua.com.
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Kim Holt has had a passion for art and drawing from an early age and found great inspiration growing up directly across from the Brooklyn Museum. She enjoyed illustrating Today is Different because it is a call to action for all of us to do what we can, where we are, with what we have. Kim strives to capture special moments of joy, a positive outlook, wonder, and even quiet struggles in her artwork. She wants all people, young or old, to see themselves in her illustrations. Kim lives in the Washington D.C. metro area with her husband and two dogs, Sugar and Spice. Today Is Different is her debut picture book. See more of her work online at www.kimscollectionofstuff.com.
