Dom Lee

Dom Lee is an acclaimed illustrator and author, best known for his work in children's literature that highlights diverse American histories. Working often with his partner Keunhee Lee and author Ken Mochizuki, he illustrated the seminal book Baseball Saved Us, which tells the story of Japanese Americans interned during World War II finding solace in baseball. The book has won numerous awards and is a staple in multicultural education. Lee’s unique artistic style involves a painstaking process of applying beeswax to paper, scratching out images, and adding oil paint, resulting in a textured, sepia-toned look that evokes history and memory.\n\nLee’s work focuses on the "quiet heroes" of history. He illustrated Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story, detailing the Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Lee is dedicated to telling stories that are often omitted from textbooks, giving dignity and visual life to the experiences of immigrants and minorities. His illustrations are not just decorations; they are emotional landscapes that help young readers connect with difficult historical subjects. Lee continues to be a powerful voice for representation in children's publishing, proving that art can teach empathy and preserve history.