Yaoyao Ma Van As is an illustrator, art director, vegan, and dog lover. She has a BFA in Art & Design and an MFA in Animation. Between working on animated television shows she likes to relax by illustrating quiet little moments in life. Yaoyao currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and four-legged baby.
What a fun ride throughout this book! It not only got me excited about the Olympics, but the OlympiFan game was full of twists and intrigue. A contemporary story that will connect with young readers everywhere. --Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Gold Medalist, Children's Book Author The Mystery of the Masked Medalist would make any kid passionate about the Olympics. Maia and Alex create a modern adventure that takes you throughout Japan. --Lindsey Vonn, Olympic Gold Medalist Alpine Ski Racer It's truly remarkable that sister and brother Maia and Alex Shibutani, who just happen to be very well known for their excellence in skating, have taken that same champion level approach to creating Kudo Kids. Everyone loves a great mystery, and Kudo Kids delivers a fun and exciting adventure aimed for young readers, that everyone can enjoy. I have a strong feeling this could be the beginning of something BIG! --Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist Maia and Alex Shibutani have written a delightful game of a book full of surprises and heart. I loved experiencing Tokyo through the eyes of the Kudo kids, and I can't wait to see where they travel next. --Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series A gold medal debut for the ShibSibs! This fun, fast-paced mystery with two fierce new detectives--the Kudo Kids--will keep young readers turning the pages until the twisty end! --Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Great Shelby Holmes series An exhilarating page-turning romp through Tokyo for fans of puzzle games and mysteries! This book made me hungry for Japanese food and for more in this series. --Debbi Michiko Florence, author of the Jasmine Toguchi series and Keep It Together, Keiko Carter The Mystery of the Masked Medalist is a fun, exciting adventure all across Tokyo. The Kudo Kids are lovable and daring, proving to be highly relatable heroes that kids will root for. --Lyla Lee, author of Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business and I'll Be the One With Kudo Kids, Maia and Alex Shibutani have created an exciting world that explores mystery, the travails of competition, and the loving support of family. The story toggles between traditional storytelling and digital adventure for the young reader, resulting in a thriller that reads like a video game. Kudo Kids is not only a fun way to get your favorite child interested in books, but an entertaining read for all generations. --Bobby Hundreds, author of This Is Not a T-shirt