Lisa Tolin

I am so excited to share some of the beautiful art by @yas.illustration from our book Can You Imagine? Isn’t it incredible? 😍 Posted @withregram • @yas.illustration Hello! I’m so excited for our Can You Imagine book to come out Feb 11,2025. I had a lot of fun illustrating the life and work of Yoko Ono. @ltolin did a wonderful job writing her story. I hope you guys pre-order your copies!❤️

I can’t believe this is out in less than a month! I don’t know which emoji to pick because it’s ALL the feelings all at once. And I’m so grateful to Laurie Berkner for the kind words. Preorder at the link in bio! #kidlit #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebooksforkids #childrensbooks #kidbooks #kidbookstagram #kidlitpicks #librariansofinstagram

📚💖🤩 So very happy to uplift these *fabulous* picture books with #PBStudyBuddy: I AM A BON DANCER, CAN YOU IMAGINE?, and BINNA’S DALGONA. Please share and support them too! #PBStudyBuddy #Kidlit #IAmABonDancer @brandialwayswrites @colorshelf @holidayhousepeachtree #CanYouImagine @ltolin @yas.imamura @simonkids @ssedlib #BinnasDalgona @creativesojung @penguinkids @penguinclassroom 💫 Psst! Want to suggest a book for a future #PBStudyBuddy feature? See how to do so at pbstudybuddy.com/submit. No DM requests please. Thank you! #kidlit #kidlitart #kidsbookstagram #bookstagram #picturebooks #childrensbooks #teachers #teachersofinstagram #schoollibrarian #librarians #librariansofinstagram

Today celebrates a creative visionary whose lifelong belief in the power of imagination changed the way art and peace are understood. 🌟✨ Featured Book: Can You Imagine?: The Art and Life of Yoko Ono Author: Lisa Tolin Illustrator: Yas Imamura Long before she became a world-renowned artist and activist, Yoko Ono was a young girl in Japan who found solace and sky-filled wonder during difficult times. This picture book follows her journey as she challenged traditional ideas of what art could be—moving it off the gallery walls and into the minds of the viewers. By inviting people to "step in" or "listen," she proved that art is a shared experience that can inspire global change. It is a celebration of a pioneer who taught the world that "a dream you dream alone is only a dream, but a dream you dream together is reality." Classroom/Home Activity 💡 Instructional Art: Invite students to create their own "Art Instruction" card. Much like Yoko Ono’s Grapefruit, ask them to write a simple, imaginative direction for someone else to follow (e.g., "Listen to the sound of the wind and draw what it feels like" or "Imagine a seed growing through the floor"). Share these to see how one idea can create many different hidden masterpieces. 🔍 Discussion Question "Yoko Ono used her imagination to see things that weren't there yet. If you could 'imagine' one positive change for your school or community, what would it be?" #CanYouImagine #YokoOno #WomensHistoryMonth #ArtEducation #PictureBookBiography

Aidan is 15! Happy birthday to our rock star. 🌟

Happy 11th birthday to Colin! I had to do this…. But it truly is a strange thing that this little nugget got so big. ❤️

So very excited to celebrate Yas Imamura’s Silver Medal for the Original Art Show at Society of Illustrators tonight! This was a dream project to work on, a truly inspirational book and Yas poured her heart and soul into this art. So grateful for the opportunity to art direct this beautiful book by @ltolin @yas.imamura also Heads up about this really cool workshop at @soi128 tomorrow AM! Bring the kids!

We had so much fun at @chappaquabookfest ! I got to spend the day chatting with @valy_gold and @annaraff , say hi to @ericrosswood and my agent siblings @ellyswartzbooks and @sarahnaronson and the @12x12challenge crew @lisaljrogers @jyotirgopal @valeriebollingauthor @rebeccagardynlevington and @maggiemaepupreporter . Meanwhile my son went off to get books signed by his favorites @katemessner @laurentarshis and @investigatorssuitup ! Thanks so much to @blye_reads and her crew for making such a special day!

Congratulations to @yas.illustration on this amazing and well deserved honor! #Repost @yas.illustration with @use.repost ・・・ Im honored to receive a Silver Medal for Can You Imagine from the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show this year. I can’t wait to celebrate in New York and meet so many of my peers. I hope to see you guys there! #yokoono #canyouimagine

Welcome back, rockstar picture book author (and editorial director of PEN America*), @ltolin !🎉 Lisa’s feature title, Can You Imagine? The Art and Life of Yoko Ono, is a STUNNING picture book biography in lyrical, poignant prose about Yoko Ono—a brilliant artist and one of the creative minds behind the iconic song “Imagine” with John Lennon. Yoko Ono has been called many things: Bold. Confrontational. Controversial. Artist. Musician. Witch. But she has always been, first and foremost, Yoko: a girl who used her imagination to escape the horrors of World War II, and then a woman who used that same gift to find peace after an act of unfathomable violence. This is a story of a singular soul: an artist whose imagination has been truly revolutionary. Lisa will also be signing her debut picture book, How to Be a Rock Star, which will get your little ones rockin as they learn everything they need to know about how to start a rock band, and make it big, from one super cool kid rocker in this hilarious HOW-TO guide, packed with tons of suggestions! This book shares important messages about overcoming obstacles and following your dreams! We know that young readers will be begging for an encore the minute they close the last page! *PEN America’s incredible work to “champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world” (pen.org), is more important now than ever. Check them out at @penamerica Be sure to come meet Lisa on 9/27!

First day of high school and 5th grade! (Couldn’t get them together because the big one leaves for the subway before the little one wakes up.) Proud of these giant kids. 🥲

Grateful for birthday wishes, another year of wisdom/wrinkles, and a beautiful day with my best boys.