PBParty Entry #46 : What Are You? {ART}

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GENRE: **Diverse, Lyrical, Concept

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WORDS: 383

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Query:

Dear Agents, Editors, and Judges,

Thank you for participating in the PB Party and your interest in my manuscript. In WHAT ARE YOU?, a child struggles with the complexities of being asked about her multiracial identity. At 383 words, the story uses a warm, lyrical voice as the girl reflects upon her family traditions and cultural experiences. She eventually comes to embrace the beauty of being both Asian and white, while learning she is more than any one label.

WHAT ARE YOU? is inspired by my own childhood and the questions I faced growing up as the only Asian American in the classroom. I wrote this for my daughter to help her navigate questions about multiracial identity and feel the importance of our ancestors. WHAT ARE YOU? celebrates Asian American heritage in the poetic style of Joanna Ho’s Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, and explores multiracial identity as seen in Julie Leung’s The Truth About Dragons.

I currently live in California with my husband and 6 year old, who provide ample inspiration for both art and words. After a brief stint as a journalist, I spent years as an editorial photographer, and I received my MFA from the Academy of Art. I am an SCBWI member and 12×12 participant, and have other children’s book manuscripts available upon request.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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Excerpt:

“What are you?”

I pause and search deep inside for the right answer.

Once I told someone I was American, and they said, “But what about your eyes?”

Another time I said I was Asian, and they said, “Then why are you so tall?”

I look in the mirror and see my mother’s jet black hair, my almond eyes turning up at the corners to smile at the sun.

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What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:

WHAT ARE YOU? is inspired by my own childhood and the questions I faced growing up as the only Asian American in the classroom. While there are many diverse children’s books available today, I still struggle to find many options to read with my daughter that tackle the topic of multiracial identity. I wrote this book to empower her and other mixed children to understand that they shouldn’t feel forced to choose one side or the other as I often did, but rather to feel the joy in accepting that they are a beautiful blend of many cultures, stories, and dreams.

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