Chieri Uegaki was born in Quesnel, British Columbia but her family moved to East Vancouver when she was a child. A second-generation Japanese Canadian, Uegaki holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. As an adult, Uegaki moved around quite a bit but now lives on the Sunshine Coast in B.C.
Fiction (Young adult)
Emiko
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2025.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From the Penguin Random House Canada website)
Self-declared matchmaking GENIUS Emiko Kimori has already found success by helping her aunt find true love, so when the new girl in town becomes her new BFF, it’s only natural for Emiko to help set her up for social success with a suitable love match.
Emiko lives with her Ojiichan in a small town on BC’s West Coast surrounded by friends and neighbors, including her childhood friend Kenzo Sanada, who wishes she’d spend less time playing matchmaker. But Emiko can so clearly see who belongs together, even when her targets don’t know it themselves. She simply has to meddle — for the sake of true love!
As for her own romantic life though . . . who has time for that? Emiko is far too busy with her matchmaking schemes, her brunch recipes, volunteering, her bustling social life, keeping up her grades, eating said brunch recipes and making plans for after graduation. Plans she will absolutely decide on soon. Definitely. Maybe? But when Emiko ends up falling for the last person she expects, she finds herself caught in the tangled web of her own love matches. For the first time, instead of arranging from afar, Emiko has to figure out what it means to be in love herself, and that friendship and romance are more complicated than she ever imagined . . .
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
Illustrated by Qin Leng.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2014.
PZ7 .U274 H26 2014
Publisher’s Synopsis (from its website)
In this beautifully written picture book, Hana Hashimoto has signed up to play her violin at her school’s talent show. The trouble is, she’s only a beginner, and she’s had only three lessons. Her brothers insist she isn’t good enough. “It’s a talent show, Hana,” they tell her. “You’ll be a disaster!” Hana remembers how wonderfully her talented grandfather, or Ojiichan, played his violin when she was visiting him in Japan. So, just like Ojiichan, Hana practices every day. She is determined to play her best. When Hana’s confidence wavers on the night of the show, however, she begins to wonder if her brothers were right. But then Hana surprises everyone once it’s her turn to perform — even herself!
Awards and Honours
2014 First & Best selection — Toronto Public Library
2015 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize (BC Book Awards)(Finalist)
2014-2015 Asian/Pacific American Award for Picture Book (Winner)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Ojiichan’s Gift
Illustrated by Genevieve Simms.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2019.
PZ7.1.U274 O45 2019
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
When Mayumi was born, her grandfather created a garden for her. It was unlike any other garden she knew. It had no flowers or vegetables. Instead, Ojiichan made it out of stones: “big ones, little ones and ones in-between.” Every summer, Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, and they tend the garden together. Raking the gravel is her favorite part. Afterward, the two of them sit on a bench and enjoy the results of their efforts in happy silence. But then one summer, everything changes. Ojiichan has grown too old to care for his home and the garden. He has to move. Will Mayumi find a way to keep the memory of the garden alive for both of them?
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Rosie and Buttercup
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2008.
Publisher’s Synopsis
Awards and Honours
2009 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize (Finalist)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Suki’s Kimono
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2003.
PZ7 .U274 S95 2003
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Suki’s favorite possession is her blue cotton kimono. A gift from her oba¯chan, it holds special memories of her grandmother’s visit last summer. And Suki is going to wear it on her first day back to school — no matter what anyone says.
Awards and Honours
2005 Chocolate Lily Award, picture books (Shortlist)
2005 Blue Spruce Award — Ontario Library Association (Shortlist)
2004 Mr. Christie Book Award (Silver seal)
2004 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award (Honour book)
2004 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize (Shortlist)
2004 Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award (Shortlist)
2004 IRA Children’s Book Award Notable Book, Primary Fiction
2004 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year, bronze award winner, children’s picture books
Links
Chieri Uegaki personal website
Publisher Kids Can Press
Publisher Penguin Random House Canada, owner of Tundra Books imprint
Kids Can Press interview with Uegaki including complete list of awards for her picture books