GENRE: **Diverse, SEL, Humor
WORDS: 400
Query:
Dear PBParty Agents, Editors, and Judges,
It’s fried rice night!
OH NO.
I see onions.
Chen hates onions!
He pretends he’s not hungry.
When he asks for a banana
And Dad says no…
If Chen’s imaginary dragon (coincidentally also named Chen) throws dragon sized tantrums, Chen will be the one to get in trouble unless they learn to navigate those big emotions! NOT AGAIN, DRAGON CHEN! is a heartwarming 400-word SEL picture book. Comp stories include ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOODNIGHT and MY MONSTER AND ME.
As a mother of a highly sensitive child and a former early childhood educator, I understand the value of a story and play to introduce new concepts to young minds. NOT AGAIN, DRAGON CHEN! can add to the market of SEL books in a narrative format with the quip and fun of DRAGONS LOVE TACOS. This book is a perfect way to open conversations about those surprisingly big emotions in a playful and inviting way. I also intentionally wrote with my Chinese American heritage in mind so that others may see themselves reflected in stories and connect in a deeper way.
NOT AGAIN, DRAGON CHEN! is my debut picture book. I am an active participant in a critique group with published PB authors. I have a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Applied Developmental Psychology from UCLA. This story is a culmination of my passion for early childhood education and SEL. Like Chen, I’m always striving to let kindness and acceptance calm the big emotions in myself and others.
If you enjoy NOT AGAIN, DRAGON CHEN! I have a humorous informational STEM fiction picture book manuscript ready as well.
Thank you for your valuable time and your interest in discovering new stories and authors!
Excerpt:
Now that the contest is over, this has been removed at the author’s request.
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
I have a lifelong passion for SEL; it’s what fueled my passion in early education. My oldest son is a highly sensitive person and these are somewhat exaggerated experiences we have at home. I want kids to know they’re GOOD. It’s part of being human to feel feelings. Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about destigmatizing huge, unmanageable feelings so that we can support kids in their pursuit to learn how to manage them in a healthy way. Like Chen, I’m always striving to let kindness and acceptance calm the big emotions in myself and others.
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