Grace Lin

Grace Lin grew up in Upstate New York with her parents and two sisters. While the other sisters became scientists, Grace became an artist. After attending the Rhode Island School of Design, Grace began working on children's books. Her first book, The Ugly Vegetables, was published in 1999 and received numerous awards. She followed that success with the publication of more than 20 books, including Dim Sum For Everyone!, and Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same. Grace's novels for middle-schoolers, The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat, have received many awards.

Her most recent young adult novel, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, is a re-imagining of a traditional Chinese fairy tale combined with her personal story of grieving for her late husband. This title was awarded the 2010 Newbery Honor, chosen for Al Roker's Today Show Kid's Book Club, and was a NY Times Bestseller.

Most of Grace's books are about the Asian-American experience, and she believes, "Books erase bias, they make the uncommon everyday, and the mundane exotic. A book makes all cultures universal."

Grace lives in Somerville, MA with her husband, Alex.

Books by This Author

Olvina Swims

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

Olvina can swim about as well as she can fly, but her reluctance to swim hasn't been a problem until she's on vacation in Hawaii with her friend Hailey. Will Olvina let her fear of the water spoil her fun? Not with Hailey on the job. Children (as well as chickens) may find learning to swim a daunting challenge. This reassuring story shows that with a little courage, lots of practice, and the help of a good friend, one can accomplish just about anything.

Once Upon a Book

Girl stepping into a book
Age Level: 6-9

Alice loves to imagine herself in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure, riding camels in the desert, swimming under the sea with colorful fish, floating in outer space, and more! But when her imaginative journey comes to an end, she yearns for the place she loves best of all.

Our Seasons

Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Age Level: 6-9

A closer look at the four seasons is presented through questions and answers (“Does everyone have four seasons?”) and evocative poems. Large illustrations depict the unique wonders of each time of year.

Pacy Lin #1: The Year of the Dog

Young Chinese American girl surrounded by illustrations
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

It's the Chinese Year of the Dog, and as Pacy celebrates with her family, she finds out that this is the year she is supposed to "find herself." Universal themes of friendship, family, and finding one's passion in life make this novel appealing to readers of all backgrounds. This funny and profound book is a wonderful debut novel by a prolific picture book author and illustrator and has all the makings of a classic.

Pacy Lin #2: The Year of the Rat

Two young people surrounded by illustrations
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

In this sequel to The Year of the Dog, Pacy has another big year in store for her. The Year of the Dog was a very lucky year: she met her best friend Melody and discovered her true talents. However, the Year of the Rat brings big changes: Pacy must deal with Melody moving to California, find the courage to forge on with her dream of becoming a writer and illustrator, and learn to face some of her own flaws. Pacy encounters prejudice, struggles with acceptance, and must find the beauty in change.

Pacy Lin #3: Dumpling Days

Young Chinese American girl surrounded by illustrations
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 9-12

Product Description: Pacy is back! This summer, Pacy's family is going to Taiwan for an entire month to visit family and prepare for their grandmother's 60th birthday celebration. Pacy's parents have signed her up for a Chinese painting class, and at first she's excited. But everything about the trip is harder than she thought it would be. At least the dumplings are delicious…

Robert's Snow

Robert's Snow
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

"A little mouse resides with his family in a leaky, old, leather boot that constantly needs repair. As winter approaches, the others are all for sealing themselves inside to shut out the cold. Robert has always yearned to play in the snow, so when he accidentally slips out of his window, he is delighted. Soon, however, he becomes lost and must be saved by a 'big animal' with red fur and blue eyes.

Robert's Snowflakes

Robert's Snowflakes
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

"When doctors told Lin and her husband that a cure for cancer was his greatest hope of survival, they decided to raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Lin called upon fellow children's book authors and illustrators, and a project was born—each one would decorate a wooden snowflake that was then auctioned, raising over $100,000…Featuring reproductions of work by Eric Carle, David Shannon, Emily Arnold McCully, Eric Rohmann, Denise Fleming, Ian Falconer, and Lin herself, the book is a handsome showcase of art." — School Library Journal

Starry River of the Sky

Starry River of the Sky
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

Rendi, a self-centered, unhappy boy runs away from home and winds up in a sad town. Storytelling, however, instigated by a mysterious newcomer allows Rendi to mature and help the villagers. The rich narrative incorporates tales inspired by Chinese tales in this worthy companion to Where the Mountain meets the Moon.

Pages

Books by This Illustrator

One Is a Drummer: A Book of Numbers

A diverse group of children in a canoe
Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6

The Chinese-American girl introduced in Round Is a Mooncake (2000) and Red Is a Dragon (2001, both Chronicle) counts her favorite things. In bouncy verse, she engages in activities with her multicultural friends and family…A glossary gives two-sentence explanations for the Asian elements, from Eight Immortals to mahjong tiles, adding versatility and ethnic interest to the book without intruding on its simplicity. — School Library Journal

Our Seasons

Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Age Level: 6-9

A closer look at the four seasons is presented through questions and answers (“Does everyone have four seasons?”) and evocative poems. Large illustrations depict the unique wonders of each time of year.

Red Is a Dragon: A Book of Colors

Girls with red dragon
Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6

Product Description: In this lively concept book a little girl discovers a rainbow of colors in the world around her. Red is a dragon in the Chinese New Year parade, yellow are the taxis she sees on her street, green are jade bracelets and the crunchy kale growing in her garden. Many of the featured objects are Asian in origin, and all are universal in appeal. With rich, boisterous illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text and an informative glossary, this colorful book will brighten every child's day!

The Seven Chinese Sisters

Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

Sisters each use their special talent while working together to save the sister who was snatched by a not-too-scary dragon. Uncluttered illustrations add detail to the crisply told original tale likely inspired by a Chinese folktale.
Country of origin: China
 

We Eat Rice

Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

In this short book for beginning readers, a young Korean boy and girl share all of the different ways they like to eat rice, which are presented in colorful illustrations done by Grace Lin. A teacher's guide with early reading activities is available from the Lee and Low website. Also available in Spanish.

Where on Earth Is My Bagel?

A boy watching a flying bagel
Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Age Level: 6-9

Where on earth did Yum Yung get the urge to have a bagel? He has no idea, but desperate for one, he sends a message from his Korean village via pigeon to New York City for someone to send him one. While he waits, he asks the farmer, the fisherman, and the honeybee keeper for help, but none of them have ever heard of a bagel. Just after Yum Yung reaches Oh's Heavenly Bakery, the bird returns without a bagel, but with the recipe…With charming gouache illustrations that evoke the intricate and colorful patterns found in Korean fabrics, this story mixes up cultures quite nicely.

Anthologies and Collections

Flying Lessons & Other Stories

Flying Lessons & Other Stories
Age Level: Middle Grade

Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold anthology—written by the best children’s authors and published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) — celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us. For more great stories, see the WNDB anthology Fresh Ink.