Becky Walker Books

Author’s name: Brandi-Ann Uyemura

Illustrator’s name: Amy Matsushita-Beal

What is your upcoming book title? I AM A BON DANCER

Date of release: March 31, 2026

Preorder or Order link:  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803237/i-am-a-bon-dancer-by-brandi-ann-uyemura-illustrated-by-amy-matsushita-beal/ 

Publisher: Holiday House

Hometown: Kailua, HI

Social links: Instagram @Brandialwayswrites 

Bluesky: @brandiauyemura.bsky.social

Website: brandi-annuyemura.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandiannu/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brandiannu/

1. What is the premise/pitch for your book?

All this six-year-old girl wants is to dance at the Japanese Bon dance festival. But under the lanterns, in the circle of swaying dancers, she cannot find the beat. Following her grandparents’ footsteps, she summons the courage and spirit of her ancestors to become a Bon dancer.

2. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?

1. It’s based on my going to Obon with my grandfather in Kauai. 
2. Knowing about your ancestors and what they’ve been through can give you strength.
3. Even if you are not familiar with Bon Odori (dance) or Obon, we can all relate to feeling afraid of trying something new because of the fear of making a mistake or being judged.
4. Obon, or “Festival of Souls,” is a Japanese festival that celebrates our ancestors with roots in Buddhism. Bon Odori, or Bon dance, is one part of that festival in which everyone dances together around a yagura or tower.  
5. Anyone is welcome to dance at the Bon dance festival! There are classes now that can teach you the movements, but when I go, I am still awkward and make many missteps, but I think it’s all a part of the experience, that and spending time with those we love.

3. What helpful hints or tips can you offer fellow writers about writing, publishing, and promoting a book?

It can take time for your book to go from idea to reality. I am still waiting to see my book in print, and I wrote I AM A BON DANCER over a decade ago. There have been many times when I doubted my stories and wanted to give up altogether. What kept me going is remembering why I was writing-not to become an author, not to see my book in a store, but to share my family and culture with others, kids who need to see themselves in my book, and readers who can learn something new. Rejection is really part of the game when you want to be published, so I think accepting that early on is key. Try not to take it personally. On days when you are getting constant rejections, remembering why you are doing it is so important. And when you get any positives, whether feedback, even if it’s a rejection, or you took an interesting class, or you meet another writer, really celebrate! Those small moments will carry you through the many dips on your journey to becoming a published author.

4. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?

1. I worked as a private investigator for one summer in my twenties. 
2. I have a Master’s in Counseling Psychology.
3. I have a secret dream of being an artist.
4. I am a fifth-generation Japanese American born and raised on the island of Oahu, where I grew up spending much time at the beach, eating tons of spam musubi, and hiking.
5. I have had more than a dozen jobs in my life, everything from working at Apple, being a copywriter, working in research and in nonprofits, to being a life coach.

5. What did you learn about yourself while on the journey to publishing this book?

Wow, what a ride it’s been! There is no other job that pushed me out of my comfort zone more than writing and publishing a book. I am so grateful for all of the random job experiences I had, which have surprisingly helped me. From working in marketing to public speaking, cold calling, and sales, I have used every one of these experiences to write, sell, and talk about my book. I never knew I would have the courage or confidence to do any of it. As an introverted creative who would rather stay behind the scenes, I learned that when there is a meaningful reason to do so, I can do what I need to do to help share my story with the readers who need to read it.

• Bluesky