I’m very, very excited to share the cover of my next book — A SWEET NEW YEAR FOR REN!
Little Ren looks forward to the preparation for and festivities of Lunar New Year, but she is always too little to help make the delicious pineapple cakes that are her favorite. She watches family members rolling out the dough and loves the mouth-watering smell. Watching and waiting, when will Ren be old enough?
Growing up, I loved hearing my father tell stories about his childhood in the Philippines, and to this day, I still do. A SWEET NEW YEAR FOR REN was inspired by our Chinese heritage, by stories of my dad celebrating Lunar New Year as a boy and by my family’s love for traditions and beautiful times spent together throughout the years.
Pineapples symbolize good fortune and prosperity in Chinese and Taiwanese cultures. Pineapple cakes originated in Taiwan and are often given as gifts wherever Lunar New Year is celebrated. In Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, pineapple tarts are also baked and enjoyed during Lunar New Year. A recipe by my dear friend and food writer/artist Bonnie Eng is included!
Thank you to all of the wonderful individuals who have brought this story to life including incredible illustrator Dung Ho. A Sweet New Year for Ren publishes on November 15, 2022, from Simon & Schuster and is available to preorder now.
Click here to preorder!