on my desk monday & Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Paperback Celebration!

On my desk are paperback editions of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon!

Yes, I'm thrilled to announce that the paperback edition of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is NOW available. The interior illustrations are still printed in full color and there is extra-special back matter that show photos from my inspiration trip to China. If the hardcover was just a little too pricey, the paperback is now here!

AND to celebrate the paperback edition of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, I’m giving away a FREE PRINT OF YOUR CHOICE from my etsy shop to 8 random people. To enter, just email* gracelin.manager@gmail.com with the title of your favorite print!

Winners announced next Wednesday on April 27th (so you have more than 2 weeks to enter).

*please note that if you enter you will most likely end up receiving my monthly e-newsletter in the future but it is very easy to opt out of, if you wish (a click at the bottom of the newsletter)

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
umbrella
yǔsǎn

fortune cookie friday

"When a worthless man has much wealth, it increases his faults."
-Chinese Proverb

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon: Board Game

Even though I've already wrote about this in my newsletter, I wanted to post this on my blog, too--it just impressed and amazed me so much! On my facebook page, a lovely reader named Emme posted the photo on the left. Apparently, she had read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and as a project for her class made a board game based on the book. Wow, right?!!

It was so well done that I asked her if she would let me make her game available for others to play as well. She enthusiastically agreed and I am so pleased to have her work included as part of the Activities Page of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon on my website.

I think it's the perfect activity for small book clubs or even any family that has read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon together.

My favorite part is the following message that Emme includes in the instructions:

Thank You for Playing
WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON
Based on Grace Lin’s Novel That Honors Chinese Legends

Reading a book is like taking a journey. Some of the things that
happen do not make sense until the journey is over or the book is
finished. The book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is
one of those journeys. I highly recommend you check out this
book and begin your journey of discovery and harmony
the same way that Minli did.

Sincerely,
Emme

Isn't that just wonderful?

To play, just download the links below and print:
Game Instructions
Game Board
Dragon Character Pawns - Set of 4
Minli Journey Cards - Fact & Opinion Questions, Set 1
Minli Journey Cards - Fact & Opinion Questions, Set 2
Minli Journey Cards - Fact & Opinion Questions, Set 3

on the way to the grocery store

A dog drove in to pick up some milk (probably for the cat).

booktalk tuesday

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

IndieBound Description: Ralph the mouse ventures out from behind the piney knothole in the wall of his hotel-room home, scrambles up the telephone wire to the end table, and climbs aboard the toy motorcycle left there by a young guest. His thrill ride does not last long. The ringing telephone startles Ralph, and he and the motorcycle take a terrible fall - right to the bottom of a metal wastebasket. Luckily, Keith, the owner of the motorcycle, returns to find his toy. Keith rescues Ralph and teaches him how to ride the bike. Thus begins a great friendship and many awesome adventures. Once a mouse can ride a motorcyle ... almost anything can happen!

My Thoughts: A true classic that holds up to the test of time. I loved this book as a child, when my 1st grade teacher read it aloud to my class and I still love it now. Before reading this book, I never really had peanut butter (remember, my parents were Asian!) but after this book, I remember begging for peanut butter sandwiches.

on my desk monday

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon in RUSSIAN! I wonder how they pronounce my name?

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
rain
xiǎoyǔ

April Kid Review: The Ugly Vegetables

Last month, I visited the wonderful Winchester Thurston school, where the lovely librarian, Jennifer Kraar, not only warmly welcomed me but did such an incredible job preparing the students for my visit that it's inspired a new little feature here at the blog!

Jennifer had some students podcast reviews of my books and it was such a treat to hear directly what the real readers thought of my book. In my newsletter, I always include my favorite letter of the month, so, I thought here, on the blog, I would do the same!

Listen to this month Kid's Review of The Ugly Vegetables:



*If you have a review of one of my books that you would like to share, send it to Gracelin.manager@gmail.com! Multimedia (audio clip, youtube link, etc) is encouraged but not necessary.

fortune cookie friday

"Do not insult the crocodile until you've crossed the river. "
-Chinese Proverb