Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s featured book is only a FEW DAYS OLD! So, let’s all sing a Happy Belated Birthday to TRICKY CHOPSTICKS!!!

TRICKY CHOPSTICKS

Written by Sylvia Chen

Illustrated by Fanny Liem

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers (March 19, 2024)

Ages:4-8

Themes: Determination, Creativity, Asian Culture

Synopsis from Amazon:
Jenny Chow struggles with chopsticks—aiya, those slippery, oh-so-tricky chopsticks! But cousin Victor’s birthday party is just around the corner, along with her family’s annual chopsticks challenge. Jenny doesn’t want to be the only Chow who never learns how to use the utensils. She’ll do whatever it takes to prove she can hold her own in her family’s long-held tradition—no matter how many experiments she wobbles and fumbles through.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love the humor and the heart that author Sylvia employs as the MC tries so many ways to perfect her use of chopsticks.
2. I love the vibrant palette of illustrator Fanny – the art will keep kids engaged and turning the pages.
3. I love how the book becomes a true windows and mirrors for readers…children whose families use chopsticks will feel seen – and other children will learn about a culture different from their own.

Growing up in NYC, I had many experiences eating all different types of foods. My dad loved eating out – we’d probably go once a week. And the choice was either Italian (my favorite was lasagna), deli (I’d always order a hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard – and a square potato knish) or Chinese. The really funny thing is that I was an extremely picky eater – and would only eat the white rice and crispy noodles – and my parents had to pay an extra 25 cents for my plate because the restaurant had a policy that each person had to order a meal. Of course, now I eat EVERYTHING – and have had octopus and roast chicken for breakfast in Barcelona – and fresh oysters and sea urchin for breakfast in Aix en Provence.

I apologize to Sylvia for getting a bit off-topic…she stopped in to chat and has been waiting patiently to share a little bit about her path to publication for this beautiful book.

ME: WELCOME, Sylvia! Thank you so much for dropping in. And thank you for the lovely giveaway you are offering – winner’s choice of a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom OR a signed copy of your book plus surprise swag!
Sylvia, before I went down the rabbit hole of childhood restaurant experiences, you were going to tell us about a couple of humorous moments on the path to publication…can you share?

SYLVIA: Hi Vivian. Thank you so much for having me! And yes, I have two moments to share.
First extra fond (and funny!) memory: Before the deal for TRICKY CHOPSTICKS came true, I had received an R&R opportunity from my editor. After we had the chance to video-chat and clarify some comments and goals for the R&R, I huddled and hustled to revise every moment I could! At the time, my in-laws lived with us, so my cozy writing space was in the closet. Late one night, I kept brainstorming and wordsmithing in the glow of my laptop screen, and along with tweaking the text, I added some art notes. A couple of times that night, a cheeky-but-perfect-for-that-scene art note scurried onto the screen and made me LOL. Each time that happened, I just knew that part of the revision was a keeper. And luckily, my editor agreed and accepted the R&R!

Second LOLOL memory: I was so lucky that every once in a while, my editor would send me sneak peeks of Fanny Liem’s sketches and illustrations. I absolutely love all the amazing and hilarious illustrations she created for TRICKY CHOPSTICKS. I mean, just look at the cover! But I still remember seeing the initial black and white sketch for the first spread in the book and it just made me laugh and laugh and laugh, totally tickled pink! I’m in sheer awe of how Fanny was able to amp up the humor of our book with her incredible illustrations.

Thank you so much, Sylvia. And I agree…the illustrations are AMAZING!

Here’s a little bit about Sylvia and how to connect with her and order her book:
A New Yorker now living in the Seattle area with her husband and two sons, Sylvia Chen is an Asian American children’s book author represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Birch Path Literary. Sylvia is a member of SCBWI and 12×12, a #PBParty Judge (and Ninja Rockstar!) since 2022, a 2023 and 2022 #PBRisingStars mentor, and the creator of #PBStudyBuddy, which features amazing picture book creators and mentor texts (plus occasional #Kidlit giveaways) on Twitter/X, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads for fellow creators, teachers, and librarians. Ever so excited about her debut picture book TRICKY CHOPSTICKS (March 19, 2024; Atheneum/Simon & Schuster), Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. She often stays up late into the night puzzling away with wordplay and working on quirky ideas. 

Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SylviaiChen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylviaichen/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sylviaichen.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sylviaichen
Website: https://www.sylviaichen.com/
Book website: https://www.trickychopsticks.com/
Preferred link to order an author-signed copy of TRICKY CHOPSTICKS via Sylvia’s local indie (US shipping or pick-up only; Sylvia goes to this bookstore pretty often, but please allow for extra time for signing, especially if you specify a personalization request. If you know Sylvia personally, please say so in the order notes too so she can make sure to add a special note if she can):: https://www.brickandmortarbooks.com/item/uhkEB3h562uLvmihVmDOFw

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
There are so many things you can do with disposable chopsticks other than disposing of them. From the simple – making painted lollipops

To the more complicated – crafting beautiful doll furniture:

Thank you all for spending your precious time here with us.
Please remember to leave a comment for a chance to win the fabulous giveaway of either a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything chat with Sylvia OR a signed copy of TRICKY CHOPSTICKS. Book can only be mailed to U.S. addresses…please let us know in the comments which prize you’d prefer if you are the lucky winner.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!