Hello, friends! And happy December. I'm back with our final PB 23 Bunch Feature! And what a year it has been. I am incredibly grateful for these amazing creators and for the chance we had to get through the ups and downs of this year together.
And today, I get to sit down and chat with one of the absolute kindest people you will ever meet. Kim-Hoa Ung is truly just so wonderful. She's always aware of others, supportive, cheering, and all around such a great person. And her debut picture book, A GIFT FOR NAI NAI drops tomorrow! I know I'm super excited to snag my own copy.
So join me today in welcoming Kim-Hoa Ung to the blog as today's PB23Bunch Feature!
Kailei: Welcome! I'm so glad you're here with me today. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing journey?
Kim-Hoa: My name is Kim-Hoa and I am a picture book author-illustrator and an amigurumi artist. My two children inspired me to become an author-illustrator. One day while reading, my daughter asked why there weren’t any characters like her. It made me think about how nice it would be for my little girl to be able to identify with a character similar to her. That’s how my dream of publishing a children’s book came about. I hope to achieve that some day and to be able to dedicate it to my little girl and others like her.
Kailei: That is so wonderful, Kim-Hoa! I am so glad that your daughters and others will be able to see themselves in your books. So let's delve just a bit deeper... what inspired your debut book, specifically?
Kim-Hoa: My debut book is inspired by my grandma whom I am grateful to have been able to crochet hats for. I do not see picture books involving crochet, so this also inspired me to write one.
Kailei: That is so special. I love that connection to your own grandma and can't wait to read all the details in the story. My mom taught me to crochet, but like you say, it's not something you see a lot of. Really looking forward to it. (And full disclosure: I don't crochet well. hahaha. I pretty much only mastered the square dish cloth).
What message would you like for your readers to walk away with?
Kim-Hoa: To always try your best. Even though something may not turn out perfect, it may mean the world to someone.
Kailei: That is such a needed message. I know I struggled with perfectionism as a child (still struggle to be real), and we definitely need more books about things not needing to be perfect. I know we've already mentioned it, but tell us again... When does your debut hit shelves?
Kim-Hoa: December 5, 2023
Kailei: TOMORROW!!!!! EEEEEEEEkkkkkkk! I am So excited for you! Before I let you to do all the fun debut stuff... Where can we follow you online?
Webpage: kimhoaung.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AutumnLeaflet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumnleaflet/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutumnLeaflet/
I have an Etsy shop: autumnleaflet.etsy.com where you can find patterns to create my original designs.
Kailei: Ooooh! That's SO cool, Kim-Hoa! Now readers... you may remember that one of Kim-Hoa's amigurumi crochet pencil plushie just went for a LOT of money in an auction for Palestine. So you will be really excited to know that she is offering a FREE CROCHET PENCIL to one lucky reader. OR if amazing crochet pencils somehow aren't your thing, you can still enter to win a PB MS Critique or Query critique. See all the details below! And thank you for joining me, Kim-Hoa! I hope you have a really wonderful debut season!
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY
Kim-Hoa is generously offering one lucky reader their choice of a PB MS Critique, Query critique, or an amigurumi crochet pencil plushie. (These things are FAMOUS people... don't miss your chance!)
To enter:
 Follow PB23Bunch on Twitter
Follow Kim-Hoa on Twitter
For a bonus entries:
About Kim-Hoa Ung
Kim-Hoa is a picture book author/illustrator and an amigurumi artist.
Her two children inspired her to become an author/illustrator. One day while reading, her daughter asked why there weren’t any characters like her. It made Kim-Hoa think about how nice it would be for her little girl to be able to identify with a character similar to her. That’s how her dream of publishing a children’s book came about. She hopes to achieve that some day and to be able to dedicate it to her little girl and others like her.
About PB23Bunch
The PB23Bunch is a diverse group of 12 authors and illustrators with Picture Books debuting in 2023. We cannot wait to get our books in your hands!!