Out now · Penguin Random House

Aku: Journey to Ibra

A New York Times Bestselling AdventureFor Anyone With Big Dreams

Explore the Book
// 01 · THE BOOK · NYT BESTSELLER
#6 NYT Bestseller Aku: Journey to Ibra book cover by Micah Johnson, Penguin Random House 5.0 (23) Amazon
dream bigger.

Blast off into Aku's electrifying sci-fi debut.

A strange helmet. A distant planet. A boy who has to dream bigger than ever. Ages 8–12.

Kirkus Reviews

“A dynamic series opener ideal for those who enjoy fast-paced, high-stakes adventure.”

School Library Journal

“The plot is compelling and fast-paced, with nonstop adventure… an entertaining sci-fi romp with grounded, real-world tween struggles.”

“My kiddo's new favorite book! We're knee-deep in our astronaut phase thanks to Aku.”

// 02 · EXPLORE THE WORLD OF AKU

Explore the world of Aku

N°01 Books Fast-paced adventures. Read → N°02 Aku Store Kids. Adults. Gear up. Shop → N°03 Aku’s Activities HQ Coloring pages. Puzzles. Play →
N°04 Mission Control Earn badges. Prove your allegiance. Coming soon
N°05 For Teachers Quizzes & guides. Coming soon
N°06 Aku’s Yellow Backpack Buy one. Give one. Coming soon

where it all begins

Can astronauts be Black?

A young boy
asked it out loud.

He dreamed of going beyond the stars.

Micah Johnson answered.
With a painting.

A Major League Baseball player who traded the diamond for a paintbrush.

The painting became a boy.
The boy became Aku.

A young dreamer in an astronaut helmet, bound for the stars.

and the dream keeps growing

Crazy dreams
can be caught.

A #6 New York Times bestseller. 20-ft monuments. Kids across the world told their dreams matter.

// 03 · FROM THE WORLD OF AKU

By Any Means Necessary

Aku World Miami
Aku × Beats by Dre
Aku Sculpture Garden Aku Sculpture Garden
Go as AstroBoy Go As AstroBoy
HoopBus
ComplexCon Hong Kong
Aku x New Era Aku × New Era
TIME Magazine cover TIME Magazine Cover
Visa
Disney D23 Expo Disney D23 Expo
Aku sculptures Sculptures
Aku x Paper Planes Planes
Author visits Author Visits
Aku Yellow Pack Aku Yellow Pack
design your own

Make your
own Aku.

Scroll to build the figure, then make one that's entirely yours.

Assembly Complete
Create your own →
From 5 feet to 20 feet and beyond · Micah Johnson
// 05 · AKU STORE

Gear up.

Shop all →
Dodgers Dreamgazer.01 collectible sculpture by Micah Johnson Dodgers Dreamgazer $199 Art Adult I Am Aku hoodie I Am Aku Hoodie $30 Unisex Micah Johnson x New Era Dodgers 59FIFTY cap New Era · Dodgers $55 New Era Kids Aku hoodie Kids Aku Hoodie $20 Kids Artist grade colored pencils, 48 piece set Colored Pencils · 48pc $20 Supplies Adult I Am Aku tee I Am Aku Tee $15 Unisex Micah Johnson x New Era Red Sox cap New Era · Red Sox $55 New Era Aku helmet diecast enamel pin Helmet Enamel Pin $3 Accessories
Micah Johnson speaking on stage beside an Aku All-Star Game figure
// 06 · THE CREATOR

Micah Johnson

A former Major League Baseball player turned artist, designer, and New York Times bestselling children's author. His work has reached the cover of TIME, Christie's, and Bonhams. His character Aku has brought together collectors on six continents. He doesn't just write about chasing impossible dreams; he's the proof they can be caught.

See his work →
| 07 · AKU IN THE COMMUNITY

We show up for kids,
in a real way.

Every dream matters. Backpacks, school visits, and books: every effort is one more way to reach as many kids as we can, in person.

  • 5,000+Backpacks given to kids
  • $250K+Raised for the program
  • 1MKids reached: the goal
Micah Johnson speaking to students at the I PROMISE School Micah Johnson at an author visit in Chicago Micah Johnson presenting at Park Tudor School Aku yellow backpack giveaway at the I PROMISE School Micah Johnson with students and the Chicago White Sox
// AUTHOR VISITS

Micah comes
to your school.

Micah brings the world of Aku straight into classrooms and assemblies, sharing his own path from the Major Leagues to the New York Times, reading from Journey to Ibra, and reminding every kid in the room that their dreams are worth chasing. From the I PROMISE School to packed gymnasiums, he leaves students lining up to read.

"Several of the teachers said it was the best author visit we have ever had here."

Erin Burnett · Librarian, Croft Middle School · Nashville

"He really listened to them, engaged with their questions, and made the experience feel special for everyone in the room."

School visit coordinator

"I've started to create a mini-curriculum around Aku's journey, and students are very engaged. A great book for schools."

Classroom teacher
Interested in a visit? →
// WHERE WE'VE BEEN

Ten cities and counting, from Los Angeles to York, Maine.

Indianapolis Akron Los Angeles New York Beacon York, ME Chicago Plainfield Nashville Minneapolis
// 08 · FINAL TRANSMISSION
every dream needs a beginning

Your journey to Ibra
starts now.

Join Aku, and the million kids learning that crazy dreams can be caught.