fortune cookie friday

"Life can never give security, it can only promise opportunity."
— Chinese Proverb

Belated Taiwan post: Starry River of the Sky, Chinese language edition!

While in Taiwan, I had the pleasure of meeting the publishing people of Global Kids,  publisher of the traditional Chinese version  of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky.  They did such beautiful job printing the books.  There are all sorts of extras like this wraparound which (I think!) says all sorts of complimentary things:

And the page numbers have these added illustrations:

Providentially, their edition of Starry River of the Sky came out at the same time as my visit so they arranged a couple of events for me to help promote it:

I was really nervous speaking to Taiwanese audience. Most knew English, even if it wasn't their first language and I had an interpreter for the another event (thank goodness!). At first, I was going to decline the events because I was so worried about the language barrier (there was no way I would attempt to speak Chinese!) but I'm glad I didn't.  The audience was so kind and interested and the people at the publishing company were so nice and enthusiastic about the book.  If only for their sake, I hope the book does well there:

Xiè xie, Global Kids!

belated Taiwan post: Pocket Pacy at Taipei 101

In Dumpling Days, one of Pacy's adventures is going to se Taipei 101, the 2nd tallest building in the world. It's also where readers have called me out on fictionalizing my story as Taipei 101 didn't exist when I was child going to Taiwan for the first time! Dumpling Days is a mix of a couple of different trips I took to Taiwan, including one I took as an adult-- after Taipei 101 was built. 

But it was great fun seeing Taipei 101 even as an adult! So much so that we had to see it again on this trip. This was Pocket Pacy's first time:

She  met "Damper Baby," the character created based on the damper that keeps the building stable during earthquakes:

She went all the way to the top of the building...kind of:

And I saw the building at night, lit up, for the first time. I guess I'll have to put that in another book...

belated Taiwan post: Taipei American School

The whole reason why we came to Taiwan was because I was invited to do a week of school visits at the Taipei American School. We had been working on this visit for 2 or 3 years, I was so glad that we were finally able to work things out and that I came. Because the school was amazing!

When I walked in there was this:

As well as other posters all over the school:

This is Pocket Pacy's favorite one:

Students also made book trailers for my books and they had them playing on repeat at the library:

And, of course, the awesome projects with my books. I loved how the whole school was involved! Not only did everyone read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,  each grade used another one of my books for a separate project:


Grade Four wrote their fortunes:

hey! this fortune came true! :)

Grade Three dissected The Red Thread, looking for conflict, climax and solution:

 Ling and Ting taught writing craft techniques  (like using dialogue and adding cliffhangers) to Grade Two:

Grade One wrote what they learned in Thanking the Moon:

And the Kindergartners made Kite Flying dragons:

And not only were the students great, everyone there was so welcoming, kind and understanding. Especially when Rain Dragon needed to let off some steam at lunch:

she loved the library sooo much, she wouldn't want to leave at the end of the day

Special thanks to Carrie (the organizer of the whole visit):

And Barbara (the hospitable librarian):

We had a wonderful time visiting the school! At the end of my presentations, I passed out a fortune cookie which had this fortune:

"An author from the United States is happy to meet you!"

And it was VERY, VERY true! Thanks so much Taipei American School!

on my desk monday

As you know, I've decided that from now on I'm going to use Chinese New Year as my official holiday deadline. I need that extra time for cards, gifts and resolutions (especially the resolutions). So this year I have until January 31st to get things done!

And very appropriately,  Bringing in the New Year has come out in baby board book! Yes, the perfect format for me to teach Rain Dragon all about the Chinese New Year.  And it looks great, if I do say so myself. I think I might like it better as a board book than a picturebook!

fortune cookie friday

"He who is contented is rich."
–Lao Tzu

belated Taiwan post: sun moon lake

In Taiwan, we visited Sun Moon Lake. I admit, one of the major draws for me was the name, it just sounds so magical to me.  Our jetlag had us up before dawn, which gave us the opportunity to watch the sun rise:

Pictures to match the name, no?

Winter Fun

So, we are big fans of Maisy here.  I first got the books out of fondness for the name, but since then have really fallen in love with them.  I want to be Lucy Cousins when I grow up.

Rain Dragon, for her part, loves Maisy as much as I do.  So much so, that during the recent snowfall I made her the happiest 19 month old on the block when I made a Snow Maisy for her:

"I know you!"

"So nice to meet you, Snow Maisy!"

"Mama, it's Snow Maisy!"

"She even has a belly button!"

"hee, hee! It's really her!"

Did I mention I wanted to be Lucy Cousins when I grow up? What do you mean it's too late? 

on my desk monday

I meant it when I said I was using Chinese New Year as my holiday deadline! The Sasquatch and I are making gingerbread cookies now:

All I needed to do was shift the theme a bit:

fortune cookie friday

"Do not anxiously hope for that which is not yet come; do not vainly regret what is already past."
— Chinese proverb