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Biographical Note:
Abby Denson is the author of
Uniquely Japan; the Kitty Sweet Tooth books, illustrated by Utomaru;
Cool Tokyo Guide;
Cool Japan Guide;
Dolltopia; and
Tough Love. She has written for comics series such as The Powerpuff Girls, The Simpsons, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and The Amazing Spider-Man Family. Her work has garnered the International Manga Award, Moonbeam Children's Book Award, and the IPPY Award. Abby has taught and lectured at various venues, including the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, The New School, and Sophia University in Tokyo. Abby goes to Japan whenever she gets the chance. Visit her online at abbydenson.com.
Utomaru is the Tokyo-based artist and illustrator of the Kitty Sweet Tooth books written by Abby Denson and of
Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers by Kim Chi and Stephan Lee. She creates artwork for magazines and posters for various clients. She also designs characters for music videos and anime, including
Muteking the Dancing Hero. Visit Utomaru online at dddddd.moo.jp.
Review Quotes:
Praise for My Tokyo Summer:
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
"An ode to artistic passion and self-published comics, manga, and zines. It encapsulates an international connection and a relationship that grew despite distance, language barriers, and cultural differences. A sweet story celebrating creativity, culture, and true friendship."-- Kirkus Reviews
"A fun exploration... Utomaru's art style beautifully captures 1990s youth culture with eye-catching color and a cheerful vibe. A great addition to graphic memoir collections." -- School Library Journal
"My Tokyo Summer is a vibrant, heartfelt, and inspiring journey that celebrates creativity, friendship, and the beautiful chaos of stepping outside your comfort zone. It's a must-read for young readers, creators, dreamers and honestly, anyone who's ever wanted to feel something real from a comic." -- Comic Crusaders
Review Citations:
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Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2026 (EAN 9781546111283, Hardcover)
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School Library Journal 05/29/2026 pg. 1 (EAN 9781339006536, Paperback)
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