The industry reviews are starting to roll in for The Paper Kingdom, and I’m so overjoyed that Kirkus gave the book a starred review (like a critic’s pick)!! Kirkus called it, “A beautiful, must-read tribute to hardworking families and the magic they create.” Per my editor at Penguin Random House, “Starred reviews are rare, and… Read more »
Tomorrow (Fri, May 19 at 4 p.m. Pacific) will be my last public event for Sora’s Seashells 😊 Join me & the Los Angeles Public Library on their YouTube channel for a fun chat! Plus, they’re giving away dozens of free copies, thanks to the generous Library Foundation of L.A. More info at the link in my bio. See you online tomorrow!❤️
.
.
.
#picturebook #kidlit #booklaunch #childrensbooks #childrensliterature #authorsofinstagram #book #childrensbook #aapiheritagemonth #aapi
It’s finally here! Happy book birthday to Sora’s Seashells 🥳 The sweeping watercolor images by @stellalim_art & @ji_hyukkim are absolutely stunning. Thanks to the team @candlewickpress for a gorgeous book ❤️ And thanks to all of you for support & enthusiasm!
Book launch time is a bit tricky for me bc self-promotion always makes me feel a bit 🤢 But the bright side is that it allows me to connect with all of you, and I’m so grateful for your friendship!
I hope to see you in-person or online at the events for Sora’s Seashells. Get ready for some fun! 🙌
.
.
.
#childrensbooks #kidlit #bookbirthday #picturebook #picturebookillustration #booklaunch #kidlitart #bookstagram #illustration #watercolor #kidsbooks
To honor the release of Sora’s Seashells in a few days (Tues, May 9), I did a photoshoot of the book on a Hawaiian beach a few weeks ago 😁 The book is available for pre-order (see link in bio 🙏) Please join me for the in-person and/or online events! You’ll hear about the inspiration for the book, including some secrets about my name…😮 All info is on the second image + my website (link in bio)! Thanks to everyone for being with me on this rollercoaster journey—writing would be so much more difficult without your support & encouragement! ❤️
.
.
.
#picturebook #childrensbooks #kidlit #newbook #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #bookevents #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookauthor #authorsofinstagram #watercolorillustration
During this annual trek to the Big Island (aka “The Magical Island”), we’ve been trying to do “slow travel”—fully immersing in a small area, no to-do list, making earth-friendly choices (like buying reef-safe sunscreen, etc). I even helped a desperate caterpillar move off of a scorching sidewalk onto a tree 🙌 We already know this island quite well, so it’s pretty easy to pinpoint our area of focus—near Kua Bay, north of Kona. @eugene_rhee says that slow travel gels w/us, bc I’ve been making lots of sketches of the island and he’s been napping in every shady spot 😎 This place really feels like home…until my mom texts a photo of Sherwin moping on the sofa and then I can’t wait to leave!! 😂😭
.
.
.
.
#bigisland #hawaii #hualalai #slowtravel #kona #travelsketchbook #travelsketching #travelsketch #watercolor #watercolorsketch #bookresearch #researchtrip #authorsofinstagram
While my muse takes a nap, I flip through my “meditation sketchbook.” I’ve been making quick, 10-min watercolor sketches of Sherwin to relax and let go of perfectionism. If you have any other de-stress techniques, let me know! (Regular meditation hasn’t worked for me bc my brain is too busy, but art meditation works 👍🙌—I feel so relaxed afterwards 😎
.
.
.
#sherwinthedog #artmeditation #moleskinesketchbook #winsornewton #winsorandnewton #watercolorsketch #dogart #meditation #relax #frenchie #frenchiesofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #authorlife
