The Rock Island Public Library presents Food, Family, & Folktales: A Conversation with Grace Lin" -- October 17.
Tuesday, October 17, 7 p.m.
Presented by the Rock Island Public Library
On October 17, the author of more than two dozen books, all of which are written for young and middle-grade audiences, will be the highlighted speaker when the Rock Island Public Library hosts the virtual Illinois Libraries Present program Food, Family, & Folktales: A Conversation with Grace Lin, with Evanston Public Library children’s librarian Brian E. Wilson joining the lauded and awarded writer 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. Her consequent experiences, both good and bad, influenced her books, and have led to great critical acclaim and numerous professional citations. Lin has won multiple literary awards for her work, including a Newbery Honor for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon in 2010, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! in 2011, National Book Award finalist certification for When the Sea Turned Silver in 2016, and a Caldecott Honor for A Big Mooncake for Little Star in 2019. Many of Lin's books have received starred reviews from outlets such as Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Horn Book Magazine, and in 2016, she was recognized as one of 10 Champions of Change for AAPI Art and Storytelling by the Obama administration, with her art subsequently shown in the White House. Furthermore, in recognition of her "significant and lasting contribution to literature for children," Lin won the 2022 Children's Literature Legacy Award.
Lin often writes about cultural and racial identity, as well as peace and relationships between friends and family. Many of Lin’s works revolve around the experiences of Asian and Asian-American characters, and she often draws directly from her own personal experiences, particularly in her Pacy series. By featuring Asian American protagonists in everyday situations and emphasizing diversity within the Asian American experience, argues Duke University Professor Susan Thananopavarn, Lin’s books "confront and subvert both Western and global stereotypes surrounding the AAPI community." She also incorporates elements from traditional Chinese and Taiwanese fantasy folktales, which are most evident in her Where the Mountain Meets the Moon series.
During the virtual presentation Food, Family, & Folktales: A Conversation with Grace Lin, the author will take paert in an engaging conversation about her journey to become an award-winning author and illustrator. Participants are invited to learn about her latest middle grade book Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, & Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods, a full-color work that explores the whimsical myths and stories behind your favorite American Chinese foods, and will also learn how their can write and draw their own stories.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, 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).
Food, Family, & Folktales: A Conversation with Grace Lin will be presented virtually on October 17, participation in the 7 p.m. program is free, and more information is available by calling (309)732-7323 and visiting RockIslandLibrary.org.
