Multicultural Kid Blogs is thrilled to interview MKB member and children’s book author, Maria Wen Adcock! We previously interviewed her when her debut book, It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George, came out a couple of years ago. We’re proud to interview her again about her newest picture book, My Name Is Ai Lin, set to release on July 1, 2025, via Sleeping Bear Press.
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My Name Is Ai Lin Official Book Description:
In this empowering story, one child shows that by making the effort to properly pronounce someone’s name, we send the welcoming message that everyone is worthy of respect and dignity.
When Ai Lin starts school, none of her classmates can say her name. The children make several attempts, but they still cannot pronounce it properly. They ask Ai Lin if they can just call her by another name. It’s not that important, right? But Ai Lin knows the significance of her Chinese name. No, it can’t be changed. Her name is part of her identity and heritage. Her name was chosen not only for what it means, but also for how it sounds. It ties her to her family—present and past—and to its traditions.
When Ai Lin shares her family history with her classmates, they come to understand that a name can be a person’s story, special and unique. Ai Lin’s name, and all that it means and stands for, is as personal as a fingerprint, as distinct as a snowflake.
Read on for the interview with Maria Wen Adcock…
Multicultural Kid Blogs (MKB): What inspired the storyline for My Name Is Ai Lin?
Maria Wen Adcock (MWA): When I was a kid, I never told anyone my Chinese middle name, Ying-Hsing. No one else had a name like that, and I knew they would have difficulty pronouncing it. Also, my last name was “Wen,” which kids thought was weird because it sounded like the English word “When.” They would even sometimes spell my name that way, with an “H” in it, even though that was incorrect.
I was afraid to speak up because I wanted to fit in. I know there are many other kids (and even adults) who may have unique names. That’s why in My Name Is Ai Lin, I had Ai Lin stand up for herself, be proud of herself, and share her heritage with others. I hope this will inspire others in similar circumstances to do the same.
MKB: What interaction did you have with the illustrator during the development of this book?
MWA: My editor at Sleeping Bear Press, Barb McNally, kept me in the loop with the sketches that illustrator Yu Ting Cheng created. I loved the direction the illustrations were going in, and I provided top-level feedback. In traditional publishing, the Editor and Art Director typically guide the illustrator. The author is kept informed but is not expected to provide detailed art direction.
I was amazed by the sketches, and when Yu Ting filled them in with full color, they burst to life and brought the story to a whole new level! Near the end of the process, my editor showed me a PDF of the proof of the entire book with all the illustrations. Lastly, she showed me the cover, and I was so happy with it! Yu Ting’s style of drawing was perfect for the tone of the book and captured the essence of the story so beautifully.
I wrote a post in my Bicultural Mama blog about the cover reveal and included a photo of the real-life Ai Lin taken around the same age as the character in the book. My real-life Ai Lin is now a teen, but I cherish that the character in the story reflected her image when she was younger.
Yu Ting and I also touched base with one another during this time to collaborate on supporting the book’s launch. In fact, I interviewed her on my blog about her illustration process. Check it out to see initial sketches and how they developed into final illustrations!
MKB: How can Ai Lin’s story support honoring students’ cultural backgrounds at school?
MWA: I hope that Ai Lin’s story can help children become culturally aware and honor those who have diverse backgrounds, whether it be in the classroom, bus, or cafeteria.
Many students for whom English is a second language may have names that are uncommon in the dominant culture. But this isn’t exclusive to them; even children whose primary language is English may have unique names. Ai Lin’s story can promote important social-emotional skills such as empathy and kindness.
MKB: My Name Is Ai Lin releases this summer. How can parents and teachers use the book when kids go back to school?
MWA: As parents prep their kids for the new school year, this book can be a starting point for children to express their feelings about starting school. Teachers can use the book in the classroom to support students as they meet new classmates and learn their names. I hope my book will be a catalyst for sparking meaningful conversations for children at home and at school.
MKB: Where can readers purchase My Name Is Ai Lin?
MWA: My Name Is Ai Lin is now available for preorders until its launch date on July 1, 2025. Find it on Amazon (Kindle & Hardcover), the publisher’s website, and other online sites.
After the book releases, shop in-person for MY NAME IS AI LIN at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Books-a-Million, and more. Please also consider independent booksellers around the country, such as Powell’s, Schuler Books, The Last Bookstore, Literati Bookstore, and others.
Author’s Bio – Maria Wen Adcock
Maria Wen Adcock is a first-generation Chinese American writer and is also the author of It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George. She is the founder of the award-winning Bicultural Mama blog and has appeared in Bloomberg News, HuffPost, and Newsday, and on The Dr. Oz Show. Maria is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and the cohost of the annual event Read Your World Day. Follow Maria on Facebook and Instagram. Please visit her website https://MariaWenAdcock.com and check out the Author Visits page to learn more about booking her for your school or library.
Illustrator’s Bio – Yu Ting Cheng
Yu Ting Cheng is a Taiwanese illustrator. She graduated with an MFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts. Yu Ting spent several years working in the animation industry. She also created picture books and educational materials for children. She currently focuses on illustrating children’s books.
Yu Ting loves exploring different ways to tell a story. She draws inspiration from her passion for storytelling and the everyday magic of life. She currently lives in Taiwan with her family.
You can follow her on Instagram @yutina.art or visit her website: www.yuting-art.com.
Leanna
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So excited to read this and share with teacher friends who struggle with this every September. It really is important for children to not just accept mispronunciations as if the fault is there’s for having a special name.