Grace Lin's Blog, page 29
June 23, 2014
on my desk monday
I received this surprise gift from Gretchen Hensley of the design chick! She read Starry River of the Sky and was so moved that she made this gorgeous necklace for me! Check out her other beautiful creations here!
I only wish I had gone to my PO box earlier so that I could've worn it to the Starry River of the Sky play, but hopefully I'll have another special occasion to wear it to. Thanks, so much Gretchen!
I only wish I had gone to my PO box earlier so that I could've worn it to the Starry River of the Sky play, but hopefully I'll have another special occasion to wear it to. Thanks, so much Gretchen!
June 22, 2014
josh's movie
In Hawaii, I had an artist workshop with teens and I promised to share this video that one of the student's had made! Here it is:
Experimenting with Reality from Something Wonderful on Vimeo.
Good job, Josh!
Experimenting with Reality from Something Wonderful on Vimeo.
Good job, Josh!
June 20, 2014
fortune cookie friday
"When luck visits you , everyone will know where you live."
- Chinese Proverb
June 16, 2014
on my desk monday
On my desk are souvenirs from my trip to Hawaii! Just got back!
a kukui nut lei, a matsumotio shave ice t-shirt (wish I could've brought back the ice!) and some beach treasures
I was there for the Children's Literature Festival* which I paired with some family fun...which I will post more about later.
*At the festival, I met with some teen artists to whom I promised to share a fellow student's video on this blog. Josh, unfortunately, the url you gave me didn't work. If you want to give me the link in the comments here, I'll post it then.
a kukui nut lei, a matsumotio shave ice t-shirt (wish I could've brought back the ice!) and some beach treasuresI was there for the Children's Literature Festival* which I paired with some family fun...which I will post more about later.
*At the festival, I met with some teen artists to whom I promised to share a fellow student's video on this blog. Josh, unfortunately, the url you gave me didn't work. If you want to give me the link in the comments here, I'll post it then.
June 13, 2014
fortune cookie friday
"Experience is a comb that we receive just when we are going bald."
- Chinese Proverb
June 11, 2014
a newbery award ceremony
I know, I know, I did NOT win the Newbery Honor in 2014. So why do I have this?
Well, because I attended La Jolla Country's Day School's Newbery Award ceremony! It's an amazing program where students who have read 30 or more Newbery books are honored. To receive a paperweight like mine above, one has to have read at least 50 Newbery books (I might have to catch up on some reading...).
If a student reads 75 Newbery books or more, they get amazing awards:
plus their name on a plaque that is displayed for eternity at the school:
I love how much the Newbery Award is respected and revered with this program. And I was completely honored that they invited me to be the speaker at the ceremony. For the first time, I wished my book had won a gold sticker instead of a silver just so I could be worthy.
I felt this especially after two lovely students introduced me with speeches that brought tears to my eyes. Here's an excerpt of one of them:
of "NewBERRY Punch?" ha ha ha!
The students got so much out of the program, you could see how much they all loved books and reading and how the school valued literacy. It was so rewarding to be there, but I also know that none of it would've been accomplished without the hard work of the La Jolla Day School librarians:
So a very special thank you to them for all their hard work and for inviting me! It was a great time for all!
Well, because I attended La Jolla Country's Day School's Newbery Award ceremony! It's an amazing program where students who have read 30 or more Newbery books are honored. To receive a paperweight like mine above, one has to have read at least 50 Newbery books (I might have to catch up on some reading...).
If a student reads 75 Newbery books or more, they get amazing awards:
plus their name on a plaque that is displayed for eternity at the school:
I love how much the Newbery Award is respected and revered with this program. And I was completely honored that they invited me to be the speaker at the ceremony. For the first time, I wished my book had won a gold sticker instead of a silver just so I could be worthy.
I felt this especially after two lovely students introduced me with speeches that brought tears to my eyes. Here's an excerpt of one of them:
"My mom loves Grace Lin because she is one of the very few Asian American children's authors, and she thinks it's important for kids to see themselves reflected in books. I love her books because they are funny, touching and you could lose yourself in her books..."Wow, isn't that nice? I think I need a tissue...no tissues? Well, how about a drink?
of "NewBERRY Punch?" ha ha ha!
The students got so much out of the program, you could see how much they all loved books and reading and how the school valued literacy. It was so rewarding to be there, but I also know that none of it would've been accomplished without the hard work of the La Jolla Day School librarians:
So a very special thank you to them for all their hard work and for inviting me! It was a great time for all!
June 10, 2014
Belated Hong Kong post: Temple Inspirations
Last time I was in Hong Kong, I visited the Tin Hau Temple. I remember being completely captivated by its unpretentious, haphazard reverence. It was, though I didn't know it at the time, the initial seed of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
So, I was eager to see it again! There was a bit crowded this time but the temple still had its charm:
And I said hello to an old friend:
Can't place him? Think of those red ribbons as red threads...
This fellow might show up in my new novel...
though Rain Dragon would probably prefer this character:
We'll have to see...
Luckily, there's plenty of inspiration to choose from!
So, I was eager to see it again! There was a bit crowded this time but the temple still had its charm:
And I said hello to an old friend:
Can't place him? Think of those red ribbons as red threads...
This fellow might show up in my new novel...
though Rain Dragon would probably prefer this character:
We'll have to see...
Luckily, there's plenty of inspiration to choose from!
June 9, 2014
on my desk monday
On my desk are autographed copies are A Drowned Maiden's Hair, The Night Fairy, The Pocket Guide to the Outdoors and a plastic elephant. That is because all the way back in the beginning of April, I had a lovely school visit at the Park School in MD where luminary authors Laura Amy Schlitz and Twig George are librarians!
The plastic elephant is one of the toys Rain Dragon swiped from Laura Amy Schlitz (Rain Dragon also took a plastic penguin which she wouldn't unhand for the photo) while we were there. Laura was kind enough to let them be swiped when she saw how attached Rain Dragon was to them. But when Rain Dragon outgrows them, I'll put them on shelf of honor with the books and impress everyone with my touched-by-greatness possessions.
Thanks, Twig & Laura!
The plastic elephant is one of the toys Rain Dragon swiped from Laura Amy Schlitz (Rain Dragon also took a plastic penguin which she wouldn't unhand for the photo) while we were there. Laura was kind enough to let them be swiped when she saw how attached Rain Dragon was to them. But when Rain Dragon outgrows them, I'll put them on shelf of honor with the books and impress everyone with my touched-by-greatness possessions.
Thanks, Twig & Laura!
June 6, 2014
fortune cookie friday
"The day your horse dies and your money's lost, your relatives change to strangers."
- Chinese Proverb
June 5, 2014
Belated Hong Kong post: Sights to see!
Hong Kong definitely has many great tourist sights. However, for me as a visiting author, the Hong Kong International School had the best things to see!
First, there were the bulletin boards:
a dragon welcome!
an I Spy Grace Lin board! Covered with items mentioned in my books!
papers of happiness! Students wrote what they thought would be on the paper that flew away
this one said smile!
And then there were the lovely students! One girl made a "Dumpling Days" hat which she wore for hat day:
They also made beautiful artwork inspired by my books:
There were also fun contests all over the library:
But perhaps the most awe-inspiring was the book order! To an author, there is nothing more they'd rather see!
though Rain Dragon was a little frustrated that we wouldn't let her throw the books on the ground.
Thanks for the beautiful sights, HKIS!
First, there were the bulletin boards:
a dragon welcome!
an I Spy Grace Lin board! Covered with items mentioned in my books!
papers of happiness! Students wrote what they thought would be on the paper that flew away
this one said smile!And then there were the lovely students! One girl made a "Dumpling Days" hat which she wore for hat day:
They also made beautiful artwork inspired by my books:
There were also fun contests all over the library:
But perhaps the most awe-inspiring was the book order! To an author, there is nothing more they'd rather see!
though Rain Dragon was a little frustrated that we wouldn't let her throw the books on the ground.Thanks for the beautiful sights, HKIS!
