Vicky Fang and more Ava Lin

Welcome back to author-illustrator Vicky Fang! Vicky is the talented creator of the funny and relatable "Ava Lin" early chapter book series. The first installment, Ava Lin, Best Friend, was published last year and the subject of an earlier GROG post.

Book #2 (Ava Lin, One of a Kind) came out in January, and book #3 (Ava Lin, Super-Duper Happy) is out June 10.

In Book 2, first-grader Ava's quest to do more kind deeds than anyone else in her class (in order to win a cool prize) leads to unexpected consequences. And Book 3 brings a school walkathon and a visit from Ava's popo (Chinese for grandmother). The Ava Lin books are bursting with humor and heart as Ava makes mistakes and learns from them. Throughout, Vicky's lively art keeps young readers engaged.

I asked Vicky about her latest book and future plans.

GROG: Your third Ava Lin book is now out. How is it different from the earlier two?

Vicky: While Best Friend! and One of a Kind focused on Ava navigating school and friendships, Super-Duper Happy centers on Ava’s relationship with her grandmother. There are still school themes involved (like the big school walkathon) but this book really explores how Ava tries to find a connection with her grandmother. It’s inspired by my own kids’ relationship with their grandmother (popo), and the hilarity found between what Ava thinks is awesome (treasures she finds on the ground or creepy crawly critters) and what her popo thinks is awesome (NOT the same things.)

from Book 3

How has Ava surprised you as the series progressed?

As I get to know Ava more, I love her for her optimism, her intensity, and her enthusiasm. I feel like writing Ava Lin helps me identify the social anxieties or confusions that are familiar to us all—and her character gives me a chance to dive headlong into those social missteps and find a way to bounce back or move forward from them. Writing these books is both cathartic and delightful, because I have so much fun writing and illustrating Ava’s hilarious shenanigans.

Why did you want Ava Lin to be Chinese American?

I wanted to write a Chinese American character because of my own upbringing and because I wanted my boys to see a truly funny, relatable character that was Chinese American, like them.

I also knew that the specificity would make the stories more funny and relatable. Little details, like the special tea Popo brings, or the slippers she wears around the house, give the characters and the situations depth and reality. I hope that Chinese American kids delight at seeing their culture represented in these books and that all kids recognize and relate to Ava’s experiences.

When you do classroom visits, what do first graders say about your Ava Lin books?

School visits are so much fun! I love getting messages afterwards from kids who love the books. There’s often something specific that they’ve fallen in love with—much like Ava Lin does! “I love the turtle” or “I love how she was kind to her friend” or “I like bubble tea too.” Ava Lin is all about full enthusiastic love for all kinds of wonderful things, so I love that kids react to the books in the same way! I’ve also seen and heard that kids don’t want to put the book down and want to keep on reading, which of course, makes me so happy as an author who wants to encourage young readers!

 

The word is you're working on an early graphic novel series, can you tell us more about that?

Yes! I am very excited about my upcoming early graphic novel series, One Mad Cat. It’s releasing next summer (2026) and I’m just working on the final cover for the first book now. It’s about a very cute but easily annoyed cat who steps out of her comfort zone to help solve mysteries for her friends.

I can't wait to see that one! It's been great chatting, Vicky. Anything else you'd like to share with GROG readers? 

Yes -- for updates on my upcoming books, you can sign up for my newsletter at https://vickyfang.substack.com/.

Vicky Fang is the author-illustrator of the Friendbots books and the Ava Lin books. She wrote the I Can Code board book series, as well as the Layla and the Bots series. She lives in California AND -- she runs a craft and business substack for kidlit writers and illustrators with Christine Evans called Kidlit Survival Guide at https://kidlitsurvivalguide.substack.com/. Check it out!

Read Your World Day ~Christy Mihaly

(Early) Read Your World Day Greetings!

Read Your World Day (formerly Multicultural Children's Book Day) is coming Jan. 30. Now in its thirteenth year, this children's literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on kids' multicultural books and authors while working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of including books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about the Read Your World Mission and history HERE.

In celebration, GROG is joining bajillions of bloggers to post reviews of new and notable diverse books during January. I'm sharing three books here, all published in 2024. (I received complimentary copies and/or pdfs for review through the Read Your World program.) I love the wealth of different creative voices out there, and the vast range of book offerings for adults wanting to share the big wide world with their kiddos.

First up is There's a Robot in my Classroom, by Dr. Carlotta A. Berry, illustrated by Anak Bulu. Dr. Berry, a professor in electrical and computer engineering, is doing important work to diversify the engineering profession, and she is both a textbook author and the writer of a series of children's picture books about robots, of which this is one.

We're talking about real little robots that kids create and program. In There's a Robot in My Classroom, Miguel starts with a shoebox, adds sensors, lights, wheels, motors, and other parts, then writes the code to control his robot creation. This is a fun and empowering STEM story for robot fans and the robot-curious. 

The picture book Together is Better, written by Diane Costa and illustrated by Grace Tan, is a cheery romp through a diverse neighborhood. It centers on  the various neighbors that make up the community and describes how they help one another and enjoy shared activities. This book is a celebration of community and will make a great conversation starter.

The publisher, Language Lizard, specializes in multi-lingual books and translations and offers books in more than 60 languages. Together is Better is available in Dari, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian. Wow!

My Dreidel, written and illustrated by the talented Ann Diament Koffsky, is an adorable board book that introduces both dreidels and the process of trying and failing and trying again. It was published by Apples & Honey Press, an imprint of Berhman House. 

The puppy protagonist in this story wants to spin her dreidel. After initial failures, she succeeds with some help. The book includes a simple explanation of the Hebrew letters on each side of the dreidel and their meanings. This is a great choice for the littlest book lovers, at Hanukkah or any time.

So, why not read some new books this month? You might like to start with these three diverse choices. Leave a comment about your own favorites. 

And read on for more information about Read Your World Day 2025 sponsors, educational resources, and activities -- including the cool virtual party -- with prizes!

Read Your World is honored to be supported by these generous donors:

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)

🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media

🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight and  Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages 

🏅 Gold Sponsors:  Third State Books 

🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press and Lerner Books 

🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor:  Scholastic Books 

🏅 Bronze Sponsors:  Lee and Low 

🏅 Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education

Read Your World is honored to be supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Stephanie M. Wildman, Martha Seif Simpson, Anna Jennings, Gwen Jackson, Afsaneh Moradian, Josh Funk, Nancy Tupper Ling, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Gea Meijering, Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Story Time, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Cynthia Levinson, Diana Huang, Rochelle Melander,  Lisa Chong, Lisa Stringfellow,  Brunella Costaglioga, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Rachel C. Katz, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Shifa Safadi, Lisa Rogers, Sylvia Liu, Eva Clarke

Read Your World is honored to be supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations! 

Check out RYW’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day

• RYW2025 Poster

• Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit

• Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents

• Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit

• Gallery of Our Free Posters

• FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

The Read Your World folks invite you to join the virtual party on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of  Read Your World Day! This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas. Plus, a 10-Book Bundle GIVE-AWAY during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. ***

Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians.

How to Turn Your Vacation into a Star Story by Tina Cho

Yesterday (August 4th) was the book birthday of The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story published by Kokila, illustrated by Jess X. Snow, my 4th picture book. It’s the end of summer, and I want to encourage you Grog Blog readers to turn your curiosities and vacations into stories! Then your vacations can be tax deductible, hehe.

An 83 year old haenyeo & me

So, it all started with a tweet I read on Twitter in 2016 about the haenyeo. Here I was living in South Korea, and I had never heard of them! They are diving women off the coast of Jeju Island, the southern tip of Korea. They are unique because they don’t use breathing equipment, and most of them are over 50 years of age. Some are in their 80s. 

I scoured the Internet for everything I could read and watch about these fascinating mermaids of the sea. I wrote a first draft. This draft was pure nonfiction, and I thought Highlights Magazine would be interested. I was correct. They were interested, but they wanted more sensory details and quotes. Ugh. No sale.

Jeju Island

I asked my husband how far Jeju was from where we lived, how much it would cost to fly there, etc… It turned out to be a cheap ticket & 30 minute flight. This would be our spring break vacation. I could research haenyeo. I dragged took my family to every haenyeo spot around the island. I took photos, talked to them, and even visited the haenyeo museum. When I returned home, I wrote a new story, this one fictional with a haenyeo grandmother teaching her granddaughter the tradition. The story went through 9 drafts with my critique groups. My agent sold it to Kokila, a new imprint of Penguin Random House in 2018. Since then, we’ve flown back to Jeju for spring break 2019 and snapped more photos for the illustrator, Jess X. Snow. I also found haenyeo in Busan, a large city on the southern tip of Korea and was able to take photos of them.

intergenerational theme

My advice for turning your vacation into a star story:

1. Plan your vacations around your curiosities and places you are interested in.

Canola among the volcanic rocks

2. Write down detailed sensory notes. Because I was able to watch the haenyeo firsthand, I could hear their special breathing called sumbisori which sounds like “hoowi,” when they exhale all their held-in breath. You will find that several times in my book. I took photos of the landscapes and shared them with the illustrator. Off the sandy shores were fields of bright yellow canola flowers and volcanic rocks. Jess did a beautiful job showing it! This is my favorite scene.

my favorite spread

3. Find a way to tell your story using your vacation as the backdrop. You can write nonfiction, or like me, fictionalize it but keep it based on something true.

4. Take lots and lots of photos and videos. You never know when an editor or illustrator will need them. I took photos of locals’ houses, and when invited inside a haneyo spot, I took more photos. 

Haenyeo spot in Busan, South Korea

5. Talk to the locals. Get their perspective on things.

6. Find the uniqueness of your vacation story. My uniqueness is the haenyeo themselves. I couldn’t find any English children’s books about them. 

7. Find a way to relate your story to today’s generation of kids. In my story the main character is afraid to swim & dive in deep water. She also learns something new from her grandmother. And many kids nowadays are trying new things since they have been home-bound.

8. Add layers of themes. My story showcases women and girls who are strong and courageous, attune to nature, with an intergenerational thread, the passing of tradition and culture, in a caring sisterhood of community.

9. Make sure it has a snazzy title that gives a hint about the story and snags an agent or editor. Add back matter if appropriate.

10. Send it to your critique group(s). I belong to 3. And they each chimed in with different perspectives and advice.

The Ocean Calls garnered 4 stars—from Kirkus, Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, & School Library Journal. It’s also a Junior Library Guild selection.

Me in South Korea

Bio: Tina Cho is the author of four picture books-- Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (Little Bee Books August 2018), Korean Celebrations (Tuttle August 2019), My Breakfast with Jesus: Worshipping God around the World ( Harvest House June 2, 2020), and The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story (Kokila/Penguin Random House Aug. 4, 2020). Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, The Tune Without Words, debuts from Harper Alley in 2023. On July 22nd, she and her family flew across the ocean to start a new life back in the states. Korea will always be part of their home.