Coming Soon:
A powerful new chapter
book series about a Korean-American girl learning how to share
and celebrate her culture!
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business
by Lyla Lee, illustrated
by Dung Ho
Meet Mindy Kim: the plucky protagonist of a new chapter
book series that is like Fresh off the Boat meets Junie B. Jones.
Mindy Kim tackles the everyday experience of millions of Asian-American
kids—sorely underrepresented in chapter books—with tenacity and heart.
Mindy Kim speaks directly to Korean-American kids who have never seen
themselves
on the page, inviting readers to both express their cultural identity with
pride, and celebrate identities unlike their own.
Mindy’s first day of school goes awry in MINDY
KIM AND THE YUMMY SEAWEED BUSINESS (Aladdin | On Sale 1/14/20). Mindy’s
grateful when her new friend Sally is able to make her initially unpopular dried
seaweed snacks seem totally delicious to her new classmates. But when someone tries
to sabotage Sally and Mindy’s Yummy Seaweed Business, Mindy wonders if she’ll
ever fit in. Starting a new school is hard for any kid, but for Mindy, who
finds herself at a school without any kids who look like her for the first
time, starting anew means finding the courage to stay true to oneself even when
it seems like no one can understand. Kirkus Reviews gave this “lovingly
authentic debut” a star, raving that “Lee takes on a number of issues with a
new school, microagressions, friendships, and grief, and she manages to
artfully balance it all.”
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt bad for Mindy as she tries to navigate a new school far away from home on top of dealing with her grief from her mother's death. I like how she shares her seaweed snacks with the class (And how it gets a little bit out of hand). I loved her father and their relationship. There's so much packed into this charming story. I'm looking forward to many more Mindy adventures.
* I also love how Mindy' adventures were based upon the author's life (A Korean-American girl starting at a new school in a predominately white neighborhood.)
* Lunar New Year is on Janaury 25th, the perfect time to read the second book
LYLA LEE is a writer of many things. After working
various jobs in Hollywood and studying psychology and cinematic arts at USC,
she now lives in Dallas, Texas. When she is not writing, she is teaching,
watching Korean dramas and other TV shows, and eating all kinds of good food.
Visit her online at lylaleebooks.com and on Twitter and Instagram at
@literarylyla.ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
DUNG HO was born and raised in Hue, Vietnam, where she studied graphic design at the Hue University College of Arts. After graduating, she worked in the design and advertising industries before discovering a great passion for illustration and picture books and becoming a freelance illustrator. Currently, she lives and works in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Ho draws inspiration from nature and the interaction between people and nature and especially loves to draw children. When not drawing, she enjoys cooking and watching movies. Visit her online at dungho.me and on Instagram @dunghanhho.
Up Next:
Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade
In MINDY KIM AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE (Aladdin | On Sale 1/14/20),
it’s Mindy’s first Lunar New Year without her mom and she’s determined to enjoy
the day. When Mindy decides to make traditional Korean New Year food to
celebrate, things don’t go according to plan. But with the help of her family
and friends, Mindy finds a way to celebrate her old traditions and create new
ones along the way, discovering that she can find her own way of being
Korean-American.
This
series is for every new kid, every kid missing a parent, every kid picking
themselves up after facing a challenge—but it’s vital that Mindy isn’t just any
kid. Korean-American author Lyla Lee writes Mindy from her own experience as
the new kid at a predominately white school.
MINDY KIM AND THE YUMMY SEAWEED BUSINESS by Lyla Lee,
illustrated by Dung Ho
Aladdin ♦ January 14,
2020 ♦ Ages 6-9 ♦
96 pages
HC ISBN: 9781534440098 ♦ PBK ISBN: 9781534440074 ♦ $16.99
(HC)/$5.99 (PBK)
MINDY KIM AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE by Lyla Lee,
illustrated by Dung Ho ♦ Aladdin
Aladdin ♦ January 14,
2020 ♦ Ages 6-9 ♦
96 pages
HC ISBN: 9781534440111 ♦ PBK ISBN:
9781534440104 ♦ $16.99 (HC)/$5.99 (PBK)
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