Liwanu

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, engineering student Nick Wettstein decided it was time to make a change. Having expressed an interest in creative writing and poetry in his youth, he traded his engineering textbooks for prose and realized his passion for poetry. "Life should be fun, and people should do what they love," Wettstein said. "I hope to inspire others to follow their own dreams." And when it came to following his own dream, he set his mind on publishing a children's poetry book about the importance of making meaningful connections. And when he needed an artist to illustrate his book, he looked no further than his mother Virginia Tjan. Having put her own creative pursuits aside while she dedicated herself to a career as an oncologist, Tjan was delighted to return to her own youthful interests to help her son. "Although I was passionate about art during high school, I put my fascination aside after graduation to become a doctor and raise a family," Tjan said. "Nearly 40 years later, my interest in art was rekindled when my son was in need of an illustrator."

In Liwanu, Wettstein and Tjan share the story of a young boy and his dog through poetry and poignant illustrations. Exploring themes of time, death, grief, and regret, their message on gratitude reminds readers to be present and appreciate the good in life. "I want to demonstrate the reality of what happens when we take something or someone for granted," Wettstein said. "And I hope to encourage readers to make a real effort to connect with the people they care about."