Mei Yu is, according to the biography on her publisher’s website, a multitalented artist working and living in Vancouver. Her art channel on YouTube has 1.7 million subscribers, 900 videos, and 380 million views. Yu’s non-fiction publications include How to Draw Anime Characters, and Manga Drawing School: Take Your Art to the Next Level, Step-by-step. She has published numerous “How to Draw” books as well as coloring books.
Fiction (Juvenile, Graphic novel)
Best Friend, Worst Bully
New York: Union Square Kids, 2026.
Series: Lost & Found
Forthcoming April 2026.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Mei, Maggie, and Sophie are BEST FRIENDS FOREVER! With fourth grade just around the corner, the three girls look forward to another fun school year together. But disaster strikes on the first day of school: MAGGIE’S LEAVING!! Suddenly, Mei and Sophie only have each other. They can still have fun together, right?
But soon, Sophie behaves very differently. She hates Mei’s art. She calls her hurtful names. She even plays mean pranks on her. What’s going on? Sophie is still Mei’s friend, isn’t she? So why is she now her… bully?
Mei begins to fear school, but even at home, there is no escape from her bully. Nowhere feels safe. Can Mei overcome hardship and regain her shattered confidence? Or will her bully ruin her entire year? With the help of her teacher and new friends, Mei learns what real friendship truly is and what it means to stand up for yourself.
Fiction (Juvenile, Graphic novel)
Lost & Found
New York: Union Square Kids, 2024.
Series: Lost & Found.
PZ7.7.Y88 L67 2024
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Being the new kid in school is scary enough. But imagine what it would be like if you were the new kid in a new school, in a new country. That’s exactly the situation Mei Yu finds herself in when her family moves from China to Canada. As she navigates her new school, she discovers a unique way to learn English and makes a new friend along the way in this heartwarming story based on the author’s own experiences.
Awards and Honours
2025 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize (BC and Yukon Book Prizes)(Finalist)
Links
Mei Yu personal website Mei Yu Art
Publisher Union Square Kids (an imprint of Hachette Book Group)