Food, Family, and Folktales: A Conversation with Grace Lin

Online Event

Newbery and Caldecott honoree Grace Lin engages in conversation about her journey to becoming an award-winning author and illustrator.

Learn about the New York Times bestselling author's latest middle-grade book, Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends behind Your Favorite Foods, a beautifully written full-color book that explores the whimsical myths and stories behind favorite American Chinese food, and learn how you can draw your own stories. Evanston Public Library children’s librarian Brian E. Wilson joins Grace in conversation.

Before she was a bestselling author and illustrator of picture books, early readers, and middle grade novels, Grace was the only Asian girl in her elementary school in Upstate New York. That experience, good and bad, has influenced her books—including her Newbery Honor Where The Mountain Meets the Moon, her Geisel Honor Ling & Ting, her National Book Finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver, and her Caldecott Honor A Big Mooncake for Little Star.

Grace advocates for diversity through her TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf,” and a PBSNewHour video essay, “What to do when you realize classic books from your childhood are racist?” She continued this mission with her podcast, Kidlitwomen. In 2016, Grace’s art was displayed at the White House and Grace was recognized by President Obama as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Register and receive the Zoom link here.

Illinois Libraries Present is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.

Explore Grace Lin's books in the library catalog.

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