In Hong Kong, as we all know, countless families depend on their wonderful aunties to balance work and family life. These remarkable women not only fill our children's lives with love and affection but also make significant sacrifices to help their families overseas.
Bookazine is therefore very excited to spotlight this delightful and touching new children's book "Thank You, Auntie" beautifully crafted by Diana Jou with stunning illustrations by KaiChin Chang.
Not only did the Bookazine editorial team have the pleasure of interviewing both Diana and Kachin, but we are also thrilled to announce that there will be an event this coming Friday from 3 pm to 4 pm at Bookazine Social in Tai Kwun. We invite all aunties to join us along with your little ones for story reading and arts and crafts, all free of charge. We can’t wait to see you there!
Hello Diana And KaiChin, congratulations to you both! What a wonderful book.
Diana, what led you to write "Thank You Auntie"? Could you share the inspiration behind this book?
Our first helper inspired me to write Thank you, Auntie. She and my kids would have these little adventures in the city and at home. I respected their relationship with each other. She even taught my kids a Tagalog song about crabs. Like many helpers, she has her own family in the Philippines. Her sacrifices away from her kids inspired me to write a children’s book to capture my love and appreciation for all that she does for my kids.
What was the first book you read that truly resonated with you? What made it special?
The picture book that inspired me to write a children’s book is Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino. It’s a sweet story told from the little boy’s perspective. He and his father have a morning breakfast date every Friday. And the book just follows them from home to the diner. Yacarrino does an amazing job of showing the reader how a city wakes up and how excited the boy is to have this special time with his father. It inspired me to write my picture book about the relationship between a helper (foreign domestic worker) and a child.
What are some of your favorite books you're reading right now?
Salt. By Nayyirah Waheed and Walk Through Walls: A Memoir by Marina Abramović
Are you considering writing another book? Would it be another children's story?
Yes! This is my first children’s book. I have a few ideas marinating and hope to make some of them a reality soon.
KaiChin, how do you develop your story ideas—on paper or your computer?
When I start any new project, I sketch out simple concepts with a pencil very roughly in a sketchbook or notebook, to experiment and see how ideas develop visually. I iterate and iterate, trying many different versions to see what reads, and if the right messages are coming through. When I find a few I like, I start to pin down the details. Sometimes starting with a mood or vibe helps, in terms of identifying the key emotion that I want to convey with an image.
What do you cherish the most about Hong Kong, and what’s one thing you enjoy the least?
I love the contrasts - you can from hiking a beautiful coastline to grabbing any food you could want in a super busy part of town within 10 minutes. I don't particularly like how the lack of space seems to stress people out.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Any choice is a good choice - my dad told me that. I think it was his way of saying that even if an outcome isn’t what you want it to be, there’s still something to learn from any experience.
And what’s the worst advice someone has given you?
“You can have it all” - it’s just not true. For every choice you make, you forgo something else, sacrifice is part of the journey. I wish I had known that sooner, instead of scrambling to try and achieve too much, and finding myself unfulfilled and drained in the process.
Despite a busy life, do you find the time to draw and create?
I find the best time for drawing is early in the day, that’s when my mind is fresh and clear, I don’t overthink things and ideas can just flow. I think it’s important to find time every day to draw, even if it’s just doodling. When I feel stuck, I’ll use Procreate to try and replicate/emulate an artist I admire, like Mary Blair, Christian Robinson, or Taro Miura. Inhabiting their strokes, colors, and compositions calms me and helps me regain confidence in my own creative choices.
THANK YOU to Diana and KaiChin for this very special book that celebrates the relationship between a child and a caregiver and of course a HUGE THANK YOU to all the aunties for all that they do for our families.
You can sign up for the book reading of "Thank You, Auntie" on January 17th , 2025, from 3 pm to 4 pm at Bookazine Social in Tai Kwun using the below link. It is FREE to attend.
Thank You, Auntie Book Reading
You can also find and buy the book at Bookazine. See the link below.
