Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu

Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu grew up in a Dallas suburb, but spent her weekends from age eleven in the Texas countryside, where she tamed butterflies and rode her red pony, Pokey. She had no idea at the time that she would end up living on the other side of the world. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics, and taught reading and English for Academic Purposes at university programs in the United States, Malaysia, and Japan.

She has composed stories and poetry (mostly in her head) since her third grade teacher Mrs. Eldridge’s weekly assignment. She started Here and There Japan, a photoblog for children, in 2006 to highlight the things she and her binational, bicultural, and bilingual children saw, did, and used in their daily lives in their multigenerational home.

Her work has been published in children’s and young adult magazines. Somewhere Among, a middle grade novel, was published in 2016. (Source)

Annie writes about her dot, "In my middle grade novel, Somewhere Among, set in Japan, the main character gives a paper doll with a heart with the word "Peace" in Japanese to a bully. She wants him to put peace in his heart. For my dot, I've made two dolls surrounded by words of "peace."

Learn more about Annie on her website.