Join Newbery and Caldecott honoree and New York Times bestselling author, Grace Lin, for an engaging conversation about her journey to become an award-winning author and illustrator.
Learn about her 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 your 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, Lin was the only Asian girl going to 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. Lin 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, Lin’s art was displayed at the White House and Lin, herself, 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 (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. 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). ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility.
Conveniently located at the corner of Race and Green in downtown Urbana.
