After months of work, I have an abundance of news and new items to share this harvest season. My 2027 calendar of art and haiku is now available online, with a dozen new artworks of landscapes, flora and fauna. I also have eight new card designs for everyday, birthdays and holidays, plus four holiday notecard sets and three for everyday.
My children’s book, Yung Stands Strong, will be launched this Sunday as part of the grand opening for the Eureka Chinatown Monument. Then the following Saturday, October 17, there will be a book reading and tour of Eureka’s historic Chinatown. There are two more book events after that—see below for details and other Makino Studios events. The book had a limited first printing. You can pre-order copies online now, for shipment around October 31, and find it in local stores soon after.
Wishing you a beautiful, bountiful autumn!
warmly, Annette Makino
Featuring peaceful landscapes and animals, this wall calendar expresses Zen wisdom as well as quiet wonder and delight in the world.
The Japanese-inspired collages in this calendar include haiku by award-winning poet and artist Annette Makino. She created each of these collages with hand-painted washi papers from Asia as well as found papers.
This mini-calendar measures 5-1/2” wide by 7” tall closed (or 5-1/2” x 14” open), so it will easily fit in a small space. Major US holidays are listed. All twelve designs are shown on the back. The calendar includes an artist’s bio and some background on haiku and haiga (haiku art).
These are professionally printed in the USA on substantial paper and saddle-stitched. Each calendar is packaged in a self-sealing cellophane sleeve.
Many users of past Makino Studios calendars save and hang up each month’s painting after it has passed or give the image to a friend. The new calendar makes a great gift that may continue to bring pleasure well past the year.
hope your birthday is simply SWELL
Sunset colors form the backdrop to a set of waves in this lovely ocean landscape featuring rock formations, based on Trinidad Beach in Trinidad, California. The punny message may especially appeal to people who love walking on the beach, swimming, surfing, sunbathing and tide-pooling.
hello friend
A green-eyed tuxedo cat invites you to rub their soft belly in this unique, Asian-inspired card with a simple message for any time. This card is based on an original mixed media collage that was made with a vintage Japanese letter and stamps, plus Asian washi papers, acrylic paint, glue, charcoal, and pen and ink on cradled wood panel.
• BOOK WILL BE SHIPPED AS SOON AS AVAILABLE, APPROX. OCTOBER 31, 2026 •
Yung Stands Strong: A Story of Expulsion and Resilience is a children’s book written by Annette Makino, with illustrations by Yukari Mishima and an extensive section with historical background written by members of Humboldt Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI) and local historians.
This full-color book tells the story of nine-year-old Yung, a real girl who was suddenly forced to leave her home when Chinese residents were driven out of Eureka, California, in 1885. Building on available historical records, this tale follows Yung and her beloved cat, Miu Miu, through the shocking events of the expulsion and their journey to a new home in San Francisco. Along the way, Yung navigates racism and injustice to discover how strong she really is.
Additional background material covers the history of Chinese immigration to the United States, Eureka’s Chinatown, and Chinese people’s resistance and resilience. Yung’s experience remains all-too relevant today.
Yung Stands Strong is published by The Press at Cal Poly Humboldt and printed by Bug Press, both in Arcata, CA. The book is 50 pages, 11 x 8.5, perfect bound, in full color.
Advance reviews:
“Bravo for this remarkable children’s book, gorgeously illustrated and told in captivating fairy-tale style. Yung Stands Strong and the outstanding community effort to make a difficult historical period accessible to young readers – with an appended teaching guide – merits being read, taught and emulated everywhere!”
– Helen Zia, author of Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People
“A children’s book that every adult should read. With beautiful illustrations and depth of meaning, Yung Stands Strong captures the tragic story of ugly and hateful racism in historic Eureka while also highlighting the courage and resilience of the Chinese people, represented by a child’s innocence and bravery. Knowing this book is available to children gives me hope for the future.”
– Satsuki Ina, author of The Poet and the Silk Girl and co-founder of Tsuru for Solidarity
“Especially in these times, it’s important for all of us to know the painful histories that form the bedrock of America. In particular, the stories of Asian Americans are missing from history books and our consciousness. This beautifully illustrated, carefully written book showcases the resilience and strength of a people during an incident of discrimination.”
– Bao Phi, author of A Different Pond and Ride / Đạp Xe
“Blending a compelling story, useful background materials, and engaging visuals, Yung Stands Strong will help young readers understand a historical injustice so that they can prevent similar wrongs from happening.”
– Stan Yogi, co-author of Fred Korematsu Speaks Up and Wherever There’s a Fight
“A dramatic kid’s-eye view of a nearly forgotten episode in our nation’s history. Vivid illustrations add to the drama of Yung’s story. A well-researched and graphically attractive afterword invites kids to consider the human consequences of racism.”
– Karen MacPherson, former Washington Post children’s book reviewer and retired Takoma Park Maryland librarian
you make me smile from nose to tail
A black dog with white accents races around the beach joyfully, ears and tail waving, in this delightful card. Just as a dog can smile with their whole body, a good friend or family members can make you feel good all over. This design is based on an original collage using painted papers from Asia and elsewhere.
wishing you cozy holidays
Decked in colorful knitted socks Nordic designs, two pairs of feet snuggle together as their owners gaze out the window at a starry night sky. based on a mixed media collage, this appealing winter scene makes for a warmhearted holiday card.
you brighten my days
A cluster of brilliant orange nasturtiums offers a joyful message for someone you really appreciate. This everyday card is based on a mixed media collage that was made with found papers, speciality papers from Asia, acrylic paint, pen and ink, and glue.
life is lovelier
with you in it
A luminous landscape in cool blues, purples and greens shows a river at sunrise, calm enough to reflect the riverbanks and clouds. Look closer at this card and you’ll spot a single white egret, fishing for breakfast. The simple but heartfelt message is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries or any time.
sending love, light and peace
Redwood-covered hills grace these peaceful cards, suitable for the holidays, condolences, or simply to send love and support. The foggy forest landscape in this collage is typical of wild and scenic Humboldt County in Northern California.
These eight cards are 4.25 x 5.5 inches, or A2 sized. They are blank inside for your message. The backs show the Makino Studios logo and contact information.
Each set comes with eight envelopes and is packaged in a kraft paper box with a window.
Cards are professionally printed on an HP Indigo press that produces offset-quality reproductions. They are printed using fade-resistant ink on card stock.
Notecard sets are shipped in a sturdy cardboard box.
Makino Studios News
Chinatown monument grand opening and book launch: This Sunday, October 11 from 1 to 4 p.m., come celebrate the grand opening of the Eureka Chinatown Monument, located at First and E Streets in Eureka, CA. The event will include lion dancers, taiko drumming, Asian food trucks, and dance performances by Hmong, Lao, and Eureka High School K-Pop groups. I will be signing copies of Yung Stands Strong. Note that the southbound lane of Highway 101 will be fully closed near Target that day.
Book reading at Los Bagels: Along with members of the HAPI book team, I’ll be reading and discussing Yung Stands Strong at Los Bagels, 403 Second Street in Eureka, CA on Saturday, October 17 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available. For a free tour of historic Chinatown, meet in front of the Clarke Museum at 2 p.m. that day.
Yung Stands Strong: Fighting Erasure with a Children’s Book: Part of Cal Poly Humboldt’s 28th annual Campus and Community Dialogue on Race, I will give a book reading and serve on a panel on Monday, October 19, 3-4:20 p.m. in Goodwin Forum (Nelson Hall East 102), Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata, CA.
In Bashō’s Footsteps: The annual Seabeck Haiku Getaway takes place in Seabeck, WA October 21-25. On October 23 at 1 p.m., using photos, maps, and haiku, I will give a talk on my self-guided walking tour last year that traced part of the famous route taken by haiku poet Bashō in 1689. (Makino Studios orders that come in while I’m gone will go out on October 28.
Book signing at Eureka Books: I’ll be signing copies of Yung Stands Strong at Eureka Books, 426 Second Street in Eureka, CA, during Arts Alive on Saturday, November 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. They also carry my cards and calendars.
Made in Humboldt Fair at Pierson’s: This popular event at Pierson Garden Shop in Eureka, CA runs November 11 through December 24 and includes more than 250 vendors. I will have books, prints, calendars, and notecard sets there.
Arcata Holiday Craft Market: Featuring food, music, and local vendors, this fair takes place December 12-13 at the Arcata Community Center in Arcata, CA. Look for the Makino Studios booth on the lefthand side of the main room. This will be my only in-person event this season.
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Award: This rather romantic haiku earned an honorable mention in the Haiku Invitational of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. My thanks to judges John S Green, Paul Miller, and Isabella Mori.
blossom bower
he tips his hat back
for the kiss
Art Attitude radio interview: Host Wendy Butler interviewed Amy Uyeki, Sue Lee Mossman and me about the creation of the new Eureka Chinatown monument and the children’s book on KHHA-LP, Humboldt Hot Air. You can stream the interview here till Sunday; then it will move to a permanent home on Soundcloud.
Thank you: I appreciate the kind responses to my last post, “Start the presses.” You can read past posts on my blog.