About Sunny Seki
Fun Facts about Sunny
- He was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.
- He won his first art award at age 9.
- He graduated from Japan University
- of Photography.
- He moved to the United States when he
- was 24 years old.
- He studied Illustration at Pasadena Art
- Center College of Design.
- He lives in Los Angeles, CA, and has been happily married to his wife Judy for 48 years -- they have 9 children together!
- He enjoys performing tricks with his derby hat.
- 2007, Sunny closed his very successful photography studio to pursue his dream of becoming a full time writer and illustrator of children's books.
- Sunny is a teacher and award winning creator of Japanese poetry called "Senryu."
- Sunny conducts several book signing events every year, and his presentations include audience-interactive readings, shadow puppetry, manga workshops, and lectures for both children and adults.
Published books
2007 -The Tale of the Lucky Cat (East West Discovery Press)
2007 -Gardeners' Pioneer Story
2010 -The Last Kappa of Old Japan (Tuttle)
2012 -Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll (Tuttle)
2015 -The Little Kokeshi Doll from Fukushima (Sunny Seki)
2024- Hokusai's Daughter (Tuttle)
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2012 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2013 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
Awards
2007 - Nappa Honor National Parenting Publication Award
for The Tale of the Lucky Cat
2009 - Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award
for The Tale of the Lucky Cat
2012 - Creative Child Magazine Book of the Year
for Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll
2012 - Spirit of Paper Tigers Book Set
for Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll
2012 - through 2026 - Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2024 - Creative Child Magazine Book of the Year
for Hokusai's Daughter
2024 - Freeman Award for Hokusai's Daughter
2025 - Skipping Stones Honor Award for Hokusai's Daughter
2014 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2015 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2016 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2023 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2017 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2018 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2019 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2020 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2021 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2022 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2024 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2025 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
2026 Rafu Shimpo Artist of the Year
