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

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6
Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she's not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can't resist a nibble? In this stunning picture book that shines as bright as the stars in the sky, Newbery Honor author Grace Lin creates a heartwarming original story that explains phases of the moon. A 2019 Caldecott Honor Book.

Bringing in the New Year

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

Grace Lin brings the Chinese New Year traditions to life through the eyes of a young girl and her family as they prepare for their family New Year celebration. Vivid color and bold line illustrate their planning which concludes with a dragon and noisemaking for a joyful celebration of this special Chinese festival.

Dim Sum for Everyone

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

A Chinese family goes out for dim sum ("little dishes"), choosing their favorites off the restaurant cart and sharing with each other. The illustrations evoke the textures and patterns in this traditional meal, and an endnote provides background on the cultural history and customs surrounding dim sum.

Fortune Cookie Fortunes

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

The family's meal finishes with fortune cookies, the daughters' favorite part of eating out! They share their fortunes as their engaging look at the world shines through in the simple narration and boldly colored, entertaining illustrations.

Kite Flying

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

The young narrator describes how she and her family each contribute to a handsome kite which they then enjoy flying. Signature illustrations show traditional Chinese kite designs combined with an author's note about kite history. The result is the celebration of an ebullient family tradition that readers may want to take up themselves!

Ling & Ting (Book 1): Not Exactly the Same

Twin sisters: Ling and Ting
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 6-9

Even though Ling and Ting are identical twins, they are not the same. How they differ becomes clear in short chapters in this winning book just right for new readers. These charismatic sisters are depicted in word and illustration with humor and affection.

Ling & Ting (Book 2): Ling & Ting Share a Birthday

Ling and Ting under birthday banners
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 6-9

Ling & Ting are twins. They share a birthday. They bake cakes, and they make birthday wishes. They tell stories and wrap gifts. They also share a birthday secret! The simple text and colorful art makes this early reader a perfect choice for children learning to read.

Ling & Ting (Book 4): Together in All Weather

Ling and Ting under an umbrella
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 6-9

Ling and Ting have fun, rain or shine, in the fourth book of this irresistible early reader series. Whether they are huddling together during a thunderstorm or out searching for rainbows, they are sure to make readers smiles with their funny adventures.
 

Lissy's Friends

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 6-9

Lissy is new at school and so makes a small origami friend to keep her company and to help her feel braver. A new friendship starts when Lissy's lost paper crane is returned. Children will empathize with Lissy's loneliness and her quiet coping in this appealing story.

Olvina Flies

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

Product Description: When Olvina gets invited to the Tenth Annual Bird Convention in Hawaii, she decides it's high time to overcome her fear of flying. But on the day of her big plane trip, Olvina's tummy is filled with butterflies and she has second thoughts. After all, chickens aren't supposed to fly. Or are they? This tender and funny story is for children who love to fly as well as those who have not yet had the experience.

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.