What an amazing day at the Massachusetts Book Awards at the Massachusetts Statehouse today! I got to celebrate I'LL GO AND COME BACK winning the Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Reader category, and hang out with a bunch of stellar authors including Jane Yolen Heidi Stemple Malinda … [Read more...]
I’LL GO AND COME BACK Wins the Massachusetts Book Award!
I'm SO thrilled that I'LL GO AND COME BACK has won the 2023 Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Readers category! This book is so close to my heart and was inspired by my relationship with my grandmother. It's a story about love that grows despite distance, and how we don't have to … [Read more...]
Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at the Concord Festival of Authors!
I was so honored to give the Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at my hometown Concord Free Public Library as part of the Concord Festival of Authors! I loved talking about my path to becoming an author (with Thoreau looking over my shoulder!) and connecting with readers young and young at heart! … [Read more...]
I’LL GO AND COME BACK Art Featured at the Society of Illustrators!
Sara Palacios's gorgeous artwork for I'LL GO AND COME BACK is currently on show at the Society of Illustrators in New York City! Her work is part of the "The Original Art 2022" exhibit of children's book illustration. If you're in the city, be sure to check it out. (The last day to take advantage of … [Read more...]
I’LL GO AND COME BACK a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022!
It was a thrill seeing I'LL GO AND COME BACK included on the Chicago Public Library list of Best Picture Books of 2022! … [Read more...]
River Bend Bookshop!
I had a ball hanging out on a lovely fall Sunday with friends Josh Funk and Elly Swartz at River Bend Bookshop, a wonderful independent bookstore in Glastonbury, CT! We read our books aloud, met readers, signed books, and had so much fun! … [Read more...]
Chappaqua Book Festival!
I had a ball at the amazing, incredible Chappaqua Book Festival on a perfect fall day! I joined over a hundred other authors and met so many amazing readers! What a celebration of children's literature! … [Read more...]
Chenery Author Festival 2022!
It was such fun joining this excellent lineup of authors at the Chenery Author Festival at Chenery Middle School in Belmont, MA! It was such a joy to talk books with other authors and young readers! … [Read more...]
Project Literacy in Midland, TX!
I had an amazing time visiting schools and libraries in Midland, Texas and participating in their Project Literacy programming. I had a magical experience, which included arriving on a fire truck; spending time with beautiful kids, educators, librarians, (and Clifford!); visiting the gorgeous area … [Read more...]
Radio Boston Interview!
I loved speaking with host Tiziana Dearing on WBUR Radio Boston today about writing books for young people and how my different identities as an Indian-American, woman, mother, and doctor influence my writing. We chatted specifically about RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, I'LL GO AND COME BACK, WHERE THREE … [Read more...]
The 2022 American Library Association Annual Conference!
From June 24-27, 2022 I went to Washington, DC to attend my first ever ALA Annual Conference, the first held in person since the pandemic started! I was so grateful to see so many friends, hang out with my publishers, meet amazing librarians, and sign books. And it was the thrill of a lifetime to … [Read more...]
A Glorious Time at SCBWI Florida!
I was honored to be a faculty member at the SCBWI Florida Conference 2022! The theme was "Reunited, and It Feels So Good!" It certainly felt fantastic to hang out with writers, illustrators, and fellow faculty members, including: Teaching a Novel Intensive with agent Saritza Hernandez and … [Read more...]
TLA 2022!
What an incredible time I had at my first in person Texas Library Association conference! The weather was beautiful in Fort Worth, and I had such a great time meeting wonderful librarians from all over Texas! I got to sign copies of RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE (at my first in person conference!), I'LL GO … [Read more...]
I’LL GO AND COME BACK In-Person Book Events!
I had such fun launching I'LL GO AND COME BACK in person at two of my favorite local bookstores! On April 10, I had a well-attended in-person launch at Brookline Booksmith, where I talked about the inspiration for the book and read the story! Then on April 23, I headed to Silver Unicorn Bookstore, … [Read more...]
We Are All Readers Book Festival 2022
I loved attending the first annual We Are ALL Readers Book Festival in Rhode Island on April 9, 2022 along with several other incredible authors! In light of the resurgence of book bans across our country, I spoke about the importance of diverse books for everyone and the fact that everyone deserves … [Read more...]
A Wonderful Book Birthday for I’LL GO AND COME BACK!
Nine years ago, I got an idea for a picture book, a “mirror story” about a girl and her grandmother and traveling between cultures, and understanding each other despite not speaking the same language. Four years ago today, I sold that book — my first book, a story about about flying across … [Read more...]
An Article in The Boston Globe!
I was delighted to speak with Boston Globe reporter Nancy West earlier this year for a piece on local women writers and how they kept writing during the pandemic that published today! I loved reading about the other local authors, including my friend Rebecca Caprara. … [Read more...]
A Sparkly Giveaway!
In honor of the one-year Book Birthday for RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, its new shiny Newbery Sticker, and a STAR for my forthcoming picture book, I'LL GO AND COME BACK, I'm giving away a signed copy of both books! Both these books are very close to my heart, and I'm so grateful to have them in the … [Read more...]
A Star for I’LL GO AND COME BACK!
I'm thrilled and honored that my forthcoming picture book, I'LL GO AND COME BACK, has received a STARRED review from Publishers Weekly! This story, inspired by my own grandmother, is about a grandmother and granddaughter, and loves that flies across the world. I'LL GO AND COME BACK is gorgeously … [Read more...]