Grace Lin's Blog, page 110
March 28, 2011
on my desk monday
To promote the Chinese edition of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon there was an article of me in Taiwan's newspaper the China Times. I have no idea what is says, but my mom tells me it is quite nice!
March 27, 2011
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:
wind
fēng
March 25, 2011
fortune cookie friday
"Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values."
-Dalai Lama
March 24, 2011
drawing on the wall
Mary, my lovely librarian hostess in Arizona is something of a children's book author/illustrator kingpin. She has entertained countless children's book literati at her home for dinner and in the last couple of years has asked them to "sign her wall."
I, myself, added my mark to her wall--to pay for that great orange juice and also because I always feel a bit cheerfully mischievous when I draw on a wall (flashbacks to my Mom telling me not to when I was a child).
Though, I was a bit nervous, considering my drawing would be next to drawings of luminaries such as David Catrow, Jack Gantos, and my friend Meghan McCarthy.
But I think my dragon turned out okay, even though it did neighbor Brian Lies's great bat drawing:
What do you think?
I, myself, added my mark to her wall--to pay for that great orange juice and also because I always feel a bit cheerfully mischievous when I draw on a wall (flashbacks to my Mom telling me not to when I was a child).
Though, I was a bit nervous, considering my drawing would be next to drawings of luminaries such as David Catrow, Jack Gantos, and my friend Meghan McCarthy.
But I think my dragon turned out okay, even though it did neighbor Brian Lies's great bat drawing:
What do you think?
March 23, 2011
drinking paradise
So I was in Arizona for a week of school visits and the Tucson Book Festival and it was great fun. I have lots of fond memories, but I have to admit what I am missing the most is the amazing, fresh-squeezed orange juice that my lovely librarian host spoiled me with.
Mary, my librarian host, had two orange trees in her backyard laden with fruit:
which she harvested regularly:
and let me make into juice!
she had an electric juicer which made the process quite exciting (and quick):
I think about 6 oranges made this jug--those oranges were very juicy!
and delicious!
Ahh, freshly squeezed orange juice from fruit just picked off a tree...it's a sublime liquid that cannot be described. It is really just like drinking paradise!
Mary, my librarian host, had two orange trees in her backyard laden with fruit:
which she harvested regularly:
and let me make into juice!
she had an electric juicer which made the process quite exciting (and quick):
I think about 6 oranges made this jug--those oranges were very juicy!
and delicious!
Ahh, freshly squeezed orange juice from fruit just picked off a tree...it's a sublime liquid that cannot be described. It is really just like drinking paradise!
March 22, 2011
booktalk tuesday
Me and Rolly Maloo by Janet S. WongIndieBound Description: When popular Rolly Maloo asks outcast Jenna Lee to help her cheat on a math test, Jenna doesn't know what to do. Cheating is wrong. But maybe Rolly just needs a little help?
My Thoughts: A very timely book! Half-told in a graphic novel format, this explores the reasons and consequences of cheating in a realistic and accessible way. What is extremely interesting to me is that there are several scenes of the mothers talking to each other, subtly showing the pressures that kids face that make them turn to cheating. This particularly struck home to me, as the adult book Hymn of the Tiger Mother (please don't purchase it, borrow it from the library if you want to read it) has caused huge waves and controversy. In that book, the mother expounds and praises the high pressure Chinese result/accomplishment-oriented methodology of raising kids. That methodology may "work," but the intense pressure can cause desperate actions-- which I saw as I watched my Asian-American classmates cheat their way to the top of the class. Honestly, it was one of the reasons why I turned to art school!
March 21, 2011
on my desk monday
I've been gazing looking at my photos of last Saturday's super moon! My photos aren't as impressive as others, but I'm still hoping it gives me inspiration for my new novel!
March 20, 2011
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:
spring
chūntiān
March 18, 2011
fortune cookie friday
"Yellow gold is plentiful compared to white-haired friends."
-Chinese Proverb
March 15, 2011
book talk tuesday
THE NIGHT FAIRY by Laura Amy SchlitzIndieBound Description:
What would happen to a fairy if she lost her wings and could no longer fly? Flory, a young night fairy no taller than an acorn and still becoming accustomed to her wings — wings as beautiful as those of a luna moth — is about to find out. What she discovers is that the world is very big and very dangerous. But Flory is fierce and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. If that means telling others what to do — like Skuggle, a squirrel ruled by his stomach — so be it. Not every creature, however, is as willing
to bend to Flory's demands. Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz and world-renowned illustrator and miniaturist Angela Barrett venture into the realm of the illustrated classic — a classic entirely and exquisitely of their making, and a magnificent adventure.
My Thoughts: Like my initial reservations of the Princess Academy, I was afraid this book was going to be a fluffy, saccharin fairy story. But it is not. It's a wonderful story with a strong character and adventure, truly beautifully written. Enjoy!
