13 Stories About Ayana

A loving look at the ups and downs of being a preschooler in the big city from an award-winning author-illustrator.

Thirteen illustrated vignettes capture the wonder and humor of everyday life for a toddler named Ayana. Ayana visits a community garden with her father, gets her face painted at a block party, and has a playdate with her best friend Harris. In these beautifully observed moments, celebrated author-illustrator Amy Schwartz shows us how a young child experiences the warmth of family, friends, and neighbors.

A companion book to 13 Stories about Harris, these short, charming tales capture a young child’s view of the world with wit and honesty. With very short text supported by bright illustrations, this is an excellent storytime choice for young readers beginning to read on their own—or a great choice to share together with the ones you love.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection


Praise for 13 Stories About Harris:
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Bookpage Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

* "Schwartz has for decades been one of our most tuned-in, honest, and sympathetic chroniclers of childhood; here she is at her absolute best."—The Horn Book, starred review

* "This book is exactly what being a toddler is all about, and Schwartz shares it with simple language, wonderful art, and an attitude of sheer delight."—School Library Journal, starred review

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs