Meet the Authors: Yuko Ohnari and Koshiro Hata

Event Date: June 26, 2026 (10:30AM)

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Meet Yuko Ohnari and Koshiro Hata, the internationally known Japanese creative team behind the 2025 picture book Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash!. Enjoy a bilingual Japanese and English reading of this book, a sensory-rich story about a young boy enjoying a summer rainstorm. Copies of their book will be on sale for signings at the event. For children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration required.

About the Authors

Yuko Ohnari and Koshiro Hata are a husband-and-wife creative team behind several picture books published in Japan. Koshiro Hata also works as a manga artist and writes essays and children's songs. They were both born in Osaka but now live in Tokyo, Japan. Their book Downpour was recognized by the Association of Library Service to Children in their 2026 ALSC Notable Children's Books list and by the U.S. Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) for 2026 Outstanding International Books. Downpour was also named as one of Evanston Public Library's 2025 101 Great Books for Kids, as well as one of EPL's 2025 Blueberry Award winners.

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