
Can You Imagine?
The Art and Life of Yoko Ono
Lisa Tolin(Author)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Published on 13. February 2025
Book
Hardback
48 pages
978-1-5344-8778-9 (ISBN)
Description
A stunning picture book biography in lyrical, poignant prose about Yoko Ono-a brilliant musician and one of the creative minds behind the iconic song "Imagine" by John Lennon.
Yoko Ono has been called many things: Bold. Confrontational. Controversial. Artist. Musician. Witch.
But she has always been, first and foremost, Yoko: a girl who used her imagination to escape the horrors of World War II, and then a woman who used that same gift to find peace after an act of unfathomable violence.
This is a story of a singular soul: an artist, musician, and writer who has always innovated beyond the limits of the accepted, whose brilliance cannot be overshadowed, and whose imagination has been truly revolutionary.
Yoko Ono has been called many things: Bold. Confrontational. Controversial. Artist. Musician. Witch.
But she has always been, first and foremost, Yoko: a girl who used her imagination to escape the horrors of World War II, and then a woman who used that same gift to find peace after an act of unfathomable violence.
This is a story of a singular soul: an artist, musician, and writer who has always innovated beyond the limits of the accepted, whose brilliance cannot be overshadowed, and whose imagination has been truly revolutionary.
Reviews / Votes
? "Yoko Ono is finally given her due as an artist in this picture book biography, brought to life by Imamura's beautiful and tonally perfect artwork...backmatter cements this as an excellent nonfiction piece." -- <b><i>The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books</i>, starred review</b> "Imamura's appropriately eclectic illustrations often suspend Ono in the midst of twirling ideas, emotions, and circumstances...Tolin centers her subject's own rich, sometimes polarizing, life advocating for peace, creativity, and individuality." -- <I>Horn Book Magazine</I> "Fresh, perceptive, and worthy of attention." -- <I>Kirkus Reviews</I> "A fitting tribute to an artist who is both unrepentantly idealistic and unmistakably tough-minded." -- <I>Publishers Weekly</I>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Illustrations
f-c jkt (fx: foil + spot UV on matte uncoated)+int. ill. (uncoated); digital
Dimensions
Height: 258 mm
Width: 258 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
474 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5344-8778-9 (9781534487789)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2025
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
€10.87
Available for download
Persons
Lisa Tolin is a journalist and editor who has covered arts and entertainment, lifestyle, health, and breaking news for major news organizations. Her years as a journalist gave her the opportunity to interview Yoko Ono in her home. Lisa lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two sons. You can visit Lisa at LisaTolin.com.
Yas Imamura is an Asian American illustrator living in Portland, Oregon. Her works include collaborations with Anthropologie and Sanrio, as well as her growing list of children's books such as Can You Imagine? by Lisa Tolin and The Elevator on 74th Street by Laura Gehl. Her preferred materials are gouache and watercolor and she often finds herself drawn to projects that are playful, mysterious, and a little offbeat.
Yas Imamura is an Asian American illustrator living in Portland, Oregon. Her works include collaborations with Anthropologie and Sanrio, as well as her growing list of children's books such as Can You Imagine? by Lisa Tolin and The Elevator on 74th Street by Laura Gehl. Her preferred materials are gouache and watercolor and she often finds herself drawn to projects that are playful, mysterious, and a little offbeat.