Yuko Torii was born in a small town near Kobe, Japan. As a child, she always dreamed of traveling and discovering a new place to call home. Her dreams became a reality when she moved to Los Angeles and received a BFA in fine arts from the Otis College of Art and Design. She then worked at Louis Vuitton as a top hand-painter and a designer of trunks, including the "Malle Mars" (Mars Trunk) now displayed in the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. She also worked as a master embosser for Anya Hindmarch of London. After living in New York for many years, participating in the city's active arts scenes, she and her husband made the move to Mexico, where she is enjoying the nation's ancient and contemporary cultural riches, as well as the warmth of its people. Yuko is a self-proclaimed "Queen of Kittyrature," a storyteller whose trademark characters are feline protagonists (largely inspired by her three cats, Mitternacht, Mondschein, and Parsifal), but she loves dogs just as much!

"A heartwarming tale of trust and belonging." --Kirkus

"The simplicity and directness make this an easy pick for a toddler storytime, and the repetition invites boisterous participation." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

". . .the focus on emotions in this very simple episode is sure to spark empathy in younger audiences." --School Library Journal

Publisher: Rise X Penguin Workshop

Pub date: 2026-03-03

Length: 32 pages