It Is Okay

Ye Guo

When Goat and Rabbit meet at the supermarket, they become friends in a heartbeat. Being friends can sometimes seem easy, but is it really so? Goat and Rabbit share many interests, but they are also quite different.
Goat thinks Rabbit puts too much sugar in his coffee, and Rabbit realizes Goat takes it very hard when they miss the train… But it is okay, because they are willing to find a way that works for both of them.
This is a quiet, clever picture book about being different but still friends. Sometimes we have to focus on what we have in common rather than what sets us apart.
In 2021, the artwork for It Is Okay was selected for the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition, the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition, and highly commended in the Macmillan Prize.

Ye Guo is a Chinese illustrator, currently based in the UK. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a major in children’s books. Ye Guo always gravitates towards mixed-media techniques, including monoprint, collage, pencil, color pencil, gouache, and crayon.

Awards

Selected for the Original Art 2024, an Exhibition of Children’s Book Illustration at The Society of Illustrators, New York

Press voices

“Charming, whimsical” The New York Times

“Like the delicate art, friendship requires balance, as well as compromise and understanding. Without being at all didactic, the message is clear: “Goat and Bunny are very different,” the story says. “But it is okay.”  Subtle, beautiful, and detailed, this gem is recommended for all collections.” School Library Journal (starred)

“Throughout, illustrations with monoprint backgrounds and details added in pencil, colored pencil, pastel and wax pastel, watercolor pen, ink, and collage display impressive command of multimedia in a style somewhat reminiscent of Maira Kalman’s work, with a dash of Oliver Jeffers to boot. A stellar story of pals weathering ups and downs with aplomb.” Kirkus reviews (starred)

“It Is Okay celebrates individuality and differences between friends. The beret-wearing goat and extremely long-eared bunny are wacky and wonderful as they wander through their whimsically decorated world. The illustrations are rendered in a mixed-media presentation incorporating delightfully textured and deliciously imprecise colored pencil, collage, wax pastel, and watercolor, and the overall effect is charming and entirely, utterly original. This sweet and simple picture book is more than okay; it is a playful and unconventional mini-adventure.” Booklist

“But for all the laughs and silliness, It Is Okay has a well-rounded and important message about acceptance that translates beyond yummy ideas on preparing canned grass. It is great to have friends who are different from us. They help us become stronger and more resilient, and aid us in exploring the world in new ways.” Bookpage

“A charming story that reminds children to be kind, respectful, and accept the differences between friends. With delightful illustrations that perfectly complement this powerful little book, “It Is Okay” will be read many times over.” Books to Borrow, Books to Buy

“If I know anything about you at all, it’s that you woke up this morning thinking, “I really hope I get to see a goat in a beret today.” Friend, consider your wishes granted and then some. /…/ This is a full-on buddy movie in a picture book. And it models a gentle way of showing how people can disagree but meet in the middle and acknowledge their different ways of doing things.” SLJ, A Fuse 8 Production, Betsy Bird