I’m hesitant to say anything because I don’t want to jinx it. It’s already been over 10 years since I wrote this book. It’s supposed to come out in summer. I made a mistake that I’m unsure will be published. I’ve had more mishaps, different versions of earlier revisions, etc. that I will share with the loyal subscribers to email newsletter. I am insanely proud of this book and yet, really nervous about how to share it. I have major Imposter Syndrome. But I also am really, really grateful that it’s out there. And that I had an amazing team:…
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It’s not often that you come across a picture book that’s adventurous, cultural, and tells a true story, especially one that you haven’t heard of. I was intrigued when I picked up award-winning author Christopher Cheng’s Powerful Like a Dragon. This Roaring Brook Press picture book, illustrated by Jaqueline Tam, tells what happened to the author’s relatives after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This was fascinating to me as someone who is born and raised on Oahu, but never learned about how the Japanese attacked Hong Kong following the December 7th’s infamous attack. A true tale Once you read it, you will…
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I just picked up a Katherine Tegen Book by author Michelle Sterling and illustrator Aaron Asis, When Lola Visits, and fell in love with the whimsical illustrations and equally as whimsical text. This picture book gives us a common theme of summer, but through the lens of Filipino culture. The way Sterling captures the essence of summer through the senses is palpable. We feel summer in its bounty of ripe fruit and the main character’s baby brother who the author describes is, “like trouble brewing on a day of absolutely nothing to do…” Even if many of us did not…
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I just saw my picture book, “I am a Bon Dancer,” listed on Amazon and various websites, and I thought I’d share it. My aunty used to call me, “turtle” as a kid because I was so slow, which is ironic. After all, I feel it’s taking me longer than most people to publish my first book. I heard one author say it took her three years to publish her first book. Here’s how long it’s been for me. I wrote the initial manuscript in third person for this book when my oldest son was less than a year old.…
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My family and I have been at home sweltering in the summer heat so I haven’t been posting lately. But I recently read a new nonfiction picture book that blew me away. I needed to write about it. Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre is written by Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Nicole Xu and published by Carol Rhoda Books. The illustrations are bold, breathtaking and ferocious. Worthy of this beautiful picture book’s words that inform, educate but also illicit power in its fiery text. It begins with questions: “What sparks a fire in a young California city? What…
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Today we’re so fortunate to have picture book author Chloe Ito Ward on the blog. With multiple books to her name, she’s sharing some of the myths and realities of publishing. If you’ve always wondered about what it’s like to debut your first picture book, how much your publisher will help, and everything book launch and publication day, you’ll want to grab a writing tool, a cup of favorite cool beverage and read on. It’s a good one! MYTH: Your book launch needs to be a huge event REALITY: Your book launch can be whatever you want it to be!…
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I love books that defy traditional forms of story. This is what you get when you read Caldecott Medalist Allen Say’s Tonbo, published by Clarion Books. It is a Benjamin Button in picture book form. It is the type of picture book you will read more than once to understand the different layers, to understand its meaning and magic behind the book, which is described as “semi-autobiographical,” of the main characters journey from his current self to his younger self and back again. The illustrations are a work of art. Each page depicts a scene in the character’s adventure with texture and…
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When I went to Gael’s book signing, I picked up a few other picture books. I have been watching Joanna Ho’s posts on We Who Produce Pearls, for awhile. The cover and illustrations by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya are gorgeous. Illustrations that you want to frame on your kid’s walls. It’s the type of book that gives you chills. It’s THAT good. There is so much depth in the words that are written for children, but that also speaks to adults. It’s written as a poetic anthem so while no specific events are detailed in the main part of the book (the back matter…
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As a Japanese American girl born and raised on the island of Oahu, I didn’t get to read many picture books about my culture. Even as a mother, finding books for my kids that reflected our lives were far and in between. This is slowly changing and I’m excited to share new picture books about both growing up in Hawaii and being Japanese American. I first saw Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson‘s picture book The Mochi Makers, right about the time when I was writing my own picture book about mochi. I was amazed that she was both the author and illustrator. Her book…
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The House on the Canal by Thomas Harding, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup and published by Candlewick Studio reminds you why picture books are so important. The gorgeous illustrations are like framed pieces of art. It is wonderful in its ability to educate readers about the famous home where Anne Frank hid, and also deep in its meaning. It is the kind of book that teaches you as much about the present as it does the past and is as much for children as it is for adults. It is the kind of book that elevates your experience as a reader and…