Jaimal

Yogis

Children’s & Middle Grade Author

Nonfiction Writer & Producer

Travels from: Washington, DC

“Captivating… Yogis find wisdom everywhere [and] shows that the search for enlightenment, with its storms, lulls, and occasional thrills, is not much different from the search for the perfect wave.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

Jaimal Yogis is a writer, speaker, film producer and outdoorsman whose work spans books, journalism, and TV / film. His bestselling Scholastic graphic novel series, City of Dragons, has won major awards in the US, China, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand and been named one of the best graphic novels for middle graders and teens by the American Library Association. His non-fiction books – Saltwater Buddha, The Fear Project, and All Our Waves Are Water – have been translated into numerous languages and been internationally praised by the likes of The Wall Street Journal, the Oprah Magazine, the Times of London and many others. All Our Waves Are Water was named one of the best beach reads of the year by the BBC and Saltwater Buddha was also adapted into a feature documentary film. Jaimal’s children’s series, Mop Rides the Waves, was named one of the best sports books for all ages by Book Riot and a 2020 favorite by the Children’s Book Review, and his journalism has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, ESPN Magazine, and The Atlantic and won multiple awards like a Maggie for Best Feature of the year. Apart from writing, Jaimal is a passionate surfer, skier, outdoorsman, mindfulness practitioner, and all around student of human potential. He has spoken and taught about his research on optimal performance and stress management at tech companies, universities, Hollywood studios, and schools around the globe. Jaimal is also currently helping adapt several of his books for TV and film with major studios. When not working, Jaimal’s favorite things to do are play in the ocean and mountains with his wife, Amy, and their three boys, Kai, Fin, and Eben.

Jaimal's Featured Titles

Quest for the True Dragon: A Graphic Novel (City of Dragons #3)

Graphix |

August 5, 2025

Graphic Novel

Grace and friends return for a new adventure in this third installment of the bestselling City of Dragons series!

Daijiang’s continued pursuit of Grace has made it clear that she and Nate are crucial to his plan. But as her Hùnxuè powers grow stronger, Grace can’t help but feel it’s unfair she might be missing out on a normal school life. Other kids get to relax, watch movies with friends, and go on dates, while Grace is risking her life to save the world. Something has felt off about her connection with Nate lately, and she keeps dreaming of her father and his ominous insistence that she must wake the dragon kings.

When a trip to rendezvous with an old ally goes awry, Grace and her friends find themselves stranded in Tokyo with only one day to wake the Southern Dragon King. But with the race against the clock exacerbating tensions on the team, can Grace get back in sync with Nate and her friends before it’s too late?

Fantasy, Fantasy, Speculative & Science Fiction, Friendship & Community, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

The Adventures of Drip and Drop

Plum Blossom |

May 14, 2024

Children’s

Beloved children’s book authors Jaimal Yogis and Matthew Allen are back with a new children’s book about how mindfulness begins with a leap of faith to feel alive again

Drip and Drop are just a couple of care-free clouds floating on the breeze. But when Sky Dive Day hits, they’re forced to discover what they’re really made of (and yes, their names are a hint). Join Drip and Drop on this hilarious and heartwarming adventure as they struggle to embrace change, face their fears, and open their hearts while also getting a first-hand crash course in the water cycle.

Friendship & Community, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Social & Emotional Development

Mop Rides the Waves of Courage: A Mop Rides Story (Emotional Regulation for Kids)

Plum Blossom |

April 4, 2023

Children’s

The third in the Mop Rides series! Surfer Mop is back, this time with a case of the jitters that his dad and friends help him tackle

Mop, his friends, and his dad are back, except this time, Mop is dealing with a case of the jitters. He’s nervous to talk in class, and waves that he would usually have no problem riding are feeling too big.

Luckily, Mop’s dad shows him how to work with his fear. He takes a step back, feels his feelings in his body, and lets the fear pass through without judging it—it’s not bad, just different! Before too long, he’s back out on his board, and presenting in class again.

Celebrated San Francisco surfer-journalist-dad Jaimal Yogis teaches 4-8 year-olds timeless beach wisdom with the continuing story of Mop, a sensitive and fun-loving kid who just wants to be in the ocean.

With stylish full-color beachy illustrations from cover to cover by SoCal surfer Matt Allen.

Friendship & Community, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Social & Emotional Development, Sports & Recreation

Riding the Waves with Mop (K-3rd Grade)

For Kindergarten through third grade, Jaimal does an interactive reading of his bestselling picture book, Mop Rides the Waves of Life, in which Mop uses learns how to use mindfulness to navigate his big emotions like an expert surfer. A 30-45 minute presentation includes:

* Fun mindful breathing exercises that blend in a “surf lesson” – kids try paddling for waves (on the carpet) and popping to their feet like surfers.

* Art project where students learn to draw Mop on a three-dimensional wave and write their feelings in the passing waves

* Discussion of how emotions pass by like waves and how we can use mindfulness to make healthy choices when sad, mad, or scary emotions arise

City of Dragons (4th - 8th grades)

For fourth through 8th graders, Jaimal gives an interactive Power Point Presentation that gives students a backstage pass into his award-winning Scholastic graphic novel series, City of Dragons, including. This 30-60 minute presentation includes:

* Surprising and mysterious research that shows how dragon stories from around the globe reveal similarities across cultures

* A discussion of the power of stories to give our lives meaning and ask the big questions

* A brief reading from the graphic novel

* Lesson on how to create your own graphic novel

* Art project with illustrator, Vivian Truong, that lets students draw Nate the dragon – the star of the City of Dragons series

The Fear Project (high school - adult)

While writing The Fear Project Jaimal spent years interviewing top scientists, psychologists, coaches and pro athletes to learn how to transform the energy of fear, stress, and anxiety into focus and energy for optimal performance. While studying with these experts, Jaimal pushed himself to face one of his deepest fears and realize one of his biggest dreams: surfing the legendary big wave, Mavericks (often called the Mount Everest of surfing). This interactive Power Point Presentation includes:

* Why our brains fool us into being locked in fear more than we need to be
* How simply reframing fear and stress can transform it into focus for optimal performance
* How taking baby steps toward our greatest fears can free us from their power
* Science-backed breathing and mindfulness techniques used by Navy Seals and Olympians to transform fear and stress into flow
*How to grow our stress comfort zone to achieve our potential

“Jaimal is the perfect choice for a K-8 school as he has written books for different ages. His infectious personality engaged students completely – both surfing at the beach and discovering dragons in Hong Kong.” — Mary Smartt, Principal of Blue Oak School

“When Jaimal came to the CLIF Bar team athlete summit, his grounded style and deep understanding of the psychological realities that come with being an elite athlete allowed him to connect with every listener and meet them where they were. Over three days of programmed talks and experiences, many cited Jaimal’s talk as a highlight.” — Bryan Cole, Former Sr Manager at CLIF Bar

“Jaimal connected so well with the students and made them think. He took them on an inspiring tour through the history of dragons in art and literature. Each school asked if he’d come back for the next book!” — Susan Reckers, Owner of Rakestraw Books

“Kids always love visiting authors but the buzz was especially electric when Jaimal and his creative partner, Vivian Truong, visited us during the Hong Kong Literary Festival. Jaimal and Vivian’s engaging talk about the history of global dragon mythology and the art of collaboratively creating graphic novels captivated the audience. The session ended perfectly with the opportunity for students to draw dragons! Upon the release of the second installment in the City of Dragons series—six months after Jaimal and Vivian’s visit—the demand for Rise of the Shadowfire was so great that, even with multiple copies, we had a ten-deep waiting list for months!” — Jeffery Comer, Chinese International School

“Stunning… such a well integrated narrative.” — Comics Beat

“an excellent, well-paced adventure with gorgeous art, surprises around every corner, and likable, relatable characters. It not only delves into fantasy and mythology in a way that keeps the reader invested, it also deals with the very relatable themes of discovering your roots, exploring self identity, making new friends, dealing with grief, and doing the right thing even though it can be tough.” — The American Library Association

“Cinematic movement between panels, quick wit, and an irresistible dragon.” — Kirkus Reviews

“a fun, action-packed romp through Hong Kong.” Booklist
a “top pick…sure to grab middle-grade readers and dragon lovers alike!” — School Library Journal

Jaimal’s Films

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Awards and Honors for City of Dragons
2023 Sakura Medal Winner (Japan)
2023 Panda Book Award Winner (China)
2023 Red Dot Book Award Winner (Singapore)
2023 Rebecca Caudill Award Nomination (Illinois)
2023 Young Adult Library Services YALSA Great Books for Teens
2023 Read for Empathy Collection (UK)
2021 American Library Association Best Graphic Novels for Children
Children’s Book Review Book Club Pick
2023 Black Eyed Susan Award Nominee
QBD Book of the Month (Australia)
Both books have spent dozens of weeks on the Indiebound Bestseller
Book two was a #2 Canadian Bestseller in the Vancouver Sun, a #4 Indiebound Bestseller in the US, and a Publishers Weekly Bestseller. Both books were #1 Amazon bestsellers in their category

Mop Rides the Waves of Life

Named Top 25 Sports Books for All Ages
Named a Favorite of the Year by the Children’s Book Review
Non-Fiction Books

Saltwater Buddha named Top 100 Books of All Time by Headbutler.com

All Our Waves Are Water named Best Beach Read of the Year by the BBC