Author-Illustrator Visits

Testimonials

“I can’t thank Michelle enough for her time and the inspiration that she gave to our class! They have been writing and illustrating their own books since…she has impacted a whole new generation!” - Douglass Valley Elementary School, 2024

“Michelle was simply amazing. Her story of discovering her queer identity and how that impacts her work really encouraged the kids, especially those who have yet to come out to family.” - The Village High School, 2024

“The children loved Michelle and every aspect of her storytime! Thank you for making their morning special!” - Bright Horizons, 2024

Sample presentations include:

Lunar New Year Storytime + Art Activity

Let’s learn about Lunar New Year! I lead a storytime and art activity related to this holiday and its cultural traditions. I wear my qipao (traditional Chinese dress) to the event and bring hong bao (lucky red envelopes) to hand out to the children. We end the visit with an art activity where we make a giant dragon poster or smaller zodiac animals. Optionally, we parade around the school with our finished creations, just like a real Lunar New Year parade!
(Based on the book LUNAR NEW YEAR: A CELEBRATION OF FAMILY AND FUN)

Affirmations Storytime + Art Activity

“‘Stay angry, little Meg,’ Mrs. Whatsit whispered. ‘You will need all your anger now.’” Based on this iconic quote from Madeleine L’Engle’s classic, A WRINKLE IN TIME, the picture book STAY ANGRY LITTLE GIRL reminds girls to embrace their authentic emotions, even if those traits may be met with resistance. I lead a storytime for this book and host an affirmations-based art activity afterwards where we make our own book covers that showcase us embracing an emotion that we have been ashamed of in the past.
(Based on the book STAY ANGRY LITTLE GIRL)

Healing from Grief- Storytime + Art Activity

Grief looks different for every child, and creativity is one way that children can express their emotions and heal from the grief of losing a loved one. I host a storytime for the book MOONLIGHT MEMORIES (winner of Hindi’s Libraries Females of Fiction – Best Picture Book of 2023 award), written by Amanda Davis. Afterwards, I lead an art activity where the students paint memory rocks to honor a loved one who has passed, and we discuss different ways that we can process grief and keep their memory alive.
(Based on the book MOONLIGHT MEMORIES)

Civil Rights - Storytime + Art Activity

Did you know that an 8-year-old Chinese American girl became a changemaker in the fight for desegregation? MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL is written by Traci Huahn and based on the true story of Mamie Tape, a Chinese American girl growing up in San Francisco in the 1800s who was prohibited from attending the segregated public school. This book was featured in Rethinking School’s picks for Social Justice Books, Zinn Education, Social Justice Books, and Seattle’s Child Magazine. I host a storytime for the book and a discussion on the difference between equality vs. equity, how Mamie’s case fits into the broader picture of civil rights history, and how students can relate to the feelings of being excluded. I also lead an art activity where the students will learn about different social justice terms introduced in the book and brainstorm as a group examples relevant to their own lives or day-to-day at school.
(Based on the book MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL)

LGBTQ+ Alliance - Presentation and Q&A

Being in community with other LBGTQ+ people is invaluable to helping a child feel included, supported, and safe to be their authentic self. I host a presentation and Q&A about growing up Chinese and queer in one of the top 10 most conservative towns in America, discovering my own queer identity, my coming out journey, and my path to becoming a full-time author-illustrator whose debut graphic novel is about asexuality. After the presentation, I lead an optional art activity where I can show the students how to make a short comic or a zine about their own LGBTQ+ identity.

Nontraditional Career Paths - Presentation and Q&A

As a child of immigrants, when I was younger I never could have imagined pursuing a career in a nontraditional, creative path! Now as an adult, I aim to bring a different perspective to career conversations and highlight that there are many ways to pursue a fulfilling career. I host a presentation and Q&A about my path from aspiring to become a lawyer, to studying engineering and economics in college, to working in tech, and finally becoming a full-time author-illustrator. After the presentation, I lead an optional art activity where the students will make mind maps to visualize all their interests and different paths that life can take them.