Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Eva Chen knows what it’s like to feel like an outsider.
TheNew York Timesbest-selling author, 41, tells PEOPLE that she “never saw books that reflected my experience” growing up — something that she deeply wanted to change.
Now, the mom of two — soon-to-be mom of three — hopes to add her own story to children’s bookshelves with her new picture book,I Am Golden, on sale Jan. 11, 2022.
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“I’m a first-generation American, who grew up often feeling like I existed in the in-between of American and Chinese culture. I wrote this book, as a Chinese-American mother, to share my experience and to hope that future generations can see themselves reflected in these pages,” Chen tells PEOPLE.
The New York City native describesI Am Goldenas an “ode to Asian joy and family ties — and finding beauty in yourself, even when you feel like you are different.”
Chen explains that given the nation’s current events and rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, the book’s message is more important than ever.
“I hope this book is used as a teaching tool for families, students and teachers to see that we all have inner beauty and strength in volumes we don’t realize,” she adds.
Chen previously worked as the editor-in-chief atLuckyand is currently the head of fashion partnerships at Instagram.
Along withI Am Golden, Chen is theNew York Timesbest-selling author of eight children’s books, includingJuno Valentine and the Magical Shoes,A Is for Awesome!andRoxy the Last Unisaurus Rex.
I Am Goldenwillhit bookshelveson Jan. 11, 2022.
source: people.com
