Michelle Lee – illustratör

Lily LaMotte, brilliant author of the graphic novel Measuring Up, an ALA Top Ten, has written her debut picture book about a special Lunar New Year feast. Perfect for fans of Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin and I Am Golden by Eva Chen."Themes of love and family underlie the snappy text." —Kirkus ReviewsIt's almost Lunar New Year, and Chloe can’t wait to celebrate! But first, Chloe and her family must prepare for the new year. They buy new shoes, lay out good-luck oranges in a bowl, decorate the red envelope, and make a crispy turnip cake. Everyone comes together to cook a fantastic feast, saving a plate for A-má, of course. Chloe enjoys the festive celebration and yummy food, but most of all she loves spending time with her family.Lily LaMotte and Michelle Lee have created a tender, warm, and uplifting holiday story about tradition and the importance of being with those you love.The back matter contains educational facts about the Lunar New Year celebration in Taiwan and a fun recipe for a yummy fortune cake!A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year for ages 12–14 in Family/School/Community Fiction (2024)

Warm like tea? Sweeter than red dates? A mother shares her love for her child as the two prepare a delicious meal together--perfect for fans of Guess How Much I Love You, Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You, and Mama, Do You Love Me?What is love? a child wonders. What does it feel like, smell like, taste like? How does it move? How long does it last?And as she prepares a traditional Chinese meal for her family, the child's mother replies: her love for him is rosy as wolfberries, warm like tea, sweeter than the red dates she puts in his soup. It shines through the water like its own brilliant sun. It goes round and round with no beginning and no end. Because a mother's love for a child is always there, warm and soft, broad and tender.In this tender story that pairs beautifully poetic words with brilliantly stunning art, a mother's love comes alive on the page and wraps readers in its warm embrace.Praise for My Love for You Is Always:* "This perfect marriage of illustrations and lyrical writing celebrates the affection that’s expressed through a lovingly cooked meal. . . . This lovefest is a feast for all the senses." --Kirkus Reviews, *STARRED REVIEW** "Warm, wonderful . . . From start to finish, it's a charming and delicious tale." --BookPage, *STARRED REVIEW*"In the vein of such familiar titles as Guess How Much I Love You and Mama, Do You Love Me? Sze creates a warm, tender look at love [and] a timeless tale of a mother’s infinite love . . . Asian ­culture and food references add a layer of depth to this story, providing a fresh version of a time-honored conversation." --School Library Journal"As satisfying as a gentle hug—or a tasty dumpling." --Booklist

“What is Jeong?” a little girl asks her grandma, and so begins a lyrical journey of discovery, kindness, and understanding in this ode to Korean American language and culture.How can one tiny word mean so much?Luna loves spending time with her little brother Joey and their halmeoni after school—they share yummy treats, play at the park, and have a lot of fun speaking to each other in Korean and English. When Halmeoni notices Luna help Joey put on his shoes and says that she has “jeong,” they realize that some words aren’t quite translatable between their two languages.As she, Halmeoni, and Joey go through the day, Luna uncovers the meaning of a small word that carries a lot of weight. Over time, she learns more about her family, herself, and the gorgeous culture that connects them.