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Grace Lin

グレース・リン

Gureesu Rin

Aliases: 林珮思

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1974-05-17 （New Hartford, New York, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
New Hartford, New York, U.S. → Montreal, Canada → Florence, Massachusetts, U.S.

Career

Occupations
author, illustrator
Active Years
1999-
Affiliations
Advisory committee, We Need Diverse Books
Influenced By
Traditional Chinese and Taiwanese folktales, Henri Matisse, Vincent van Gogh

Education

Rhode Island School of Design
Fine Arts (B.F.A.) / Children's Book Illustration
Degree: B.F.A.
Period: 1992–1996
Year of Graduation: 1996
Country: United States

Awards

Newbery Honor
2010
Work: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: 受賞（Honor）
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
2011
Work: Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Result: 受賞
National Book Award (Finalist)
2016
Work: When the Sea Turned to Silver
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: 最終候補（Finalist）
Caldecott Honor
2019
Work: A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Result: 受賞（Honor）
Children's Literature Legacy Award
2022
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: 受賞
Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Elementary Level)
2022
Work: I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story (illustrator)
Organization: National Council for the Social Studies
Result: 受賞
Massachusetts Book Awards (Picture Book/Early Reader)
2024
Category: Picture Book/Early Reader
Organization: Massachusetts Book Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

2009 Middle-grade fantasy (children's literature)

A middle-grade fantasy inspired by Chinese folktales. Young Min undertakes a journey with companions to change her family's fortune and learns about wishes and family along the way.

cultural identityfamilyfolktale and tradition

When the Sea Turned to Silver

2016 Middle-grade fantasy (children's literature)

A later installment in the Where the Mountain Meets the Moon series that continues to weave folktale elements with human relationships, exploring identity and courage.

culture and traditioncourageidentity

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

2018 Picture book 40 pages

A picture book about the parent-child relationship between a Moon and Little Star centered around a mooncake. It combines cultural elements with a warm story about care and boundaries.

familycultural symbols (mooncake)growing up and boundaries

The Year of the Dog

2006 Children's literature (middle-grade)

A semi-autobiographical story about the coming-of-age experiences of an Asian American girl.

self-discoverycultural experiencegrowing up

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!

2010 Early reader / illustrated children's book

A collection of short stories about twin girls Ling and Ting that portray everyday experiences with cultural specificity and universal childhood themes.

friendshipfamilycultural identity

The Ugly Vegetables

1999 Picture book

One of Lin's first published books. It centers on Chinese vegetables grown in a neighborhood garden and explores cultural differences and understanding.

cultural differenceempathycommunity

Bibliography

  • The Ugly Vegetables (1999)
  • The Year of the Dog (2006)
  • Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009)
  • Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! (2010)
  • When the Sea Turned to Silver (2016)
  • A Big Mooncake for Little Star (2018)
  • I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story (illustrator, 2021)
  • The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon (2025)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Hand-drawn illustrations using bright colors and graphic shapesPreference for gouache painting techniquesA blend of folktale narration with contemporary children's perspectives
Recurring Motifs
Chinese and Taiwanese folktales and traditionsfamily and friendshipAsian American identity

Legacy

Grace Lin is recognized for bringing Asian American perspectives to children's literature and advocating for diversity and representation. With multiple awards and critical acclaim, she has become an influential figure in the field of children's books.

Archives

  • University of Connecticut Archives (holds Grace Lin Papers)

In Popular Culture

  • AAPI art exhibition at the White House (2016)

Quotes

  • Children's bookshelves need both windows and mirrors.
    Source: TEDx talk "The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf" (2016)

Trivia

  • Her early book The Ugly Vegetables was published in 1999.
  • She co-founded the Robert’s Snow fundraiser with her late husband Robert Mercer to raise money for cancer research; the event was discontinued after his death.
  • In 2016 she was recognized by the Obama administration as one of the Champions of Change for AAPI Art and Storytelling and her work was shown at the White House.