About Picture Books
An interview with myself.
Hello friends!
I had an interview with…..myself today.
Sounds silly but it’s less daunting than writing A 10000-WORD BLOG POST and most importantly—it’s fun!🙈 With the questions I set myself, it felt like working on guided writing exercise at school—sounds a lot more manageable, right?
1. What is your favourite picture book as a kid?
Unlike most picture book makers, I didn’t grow up with picture books. The only ones I remember my parents buying for me were the Geronimo Stilton books. The title was translated into Cantonese as 老鼠記者 (Mouse Journalist), which immediately caught my attention as a kid. They were SUPER fun to read! The text wasn’t boring-black-Times-New-Roman, the books used unique, vibrant typography and illustrations throughout instead.
The main character, Geronimo Stilton, was clumsy (just like me), hilarious, and full of life. Not only were the stories adventurous, exciting, and engaging, but because they took place in Italy, they also sparked my curiosity about the other side of the world.
As a kid who didn’t enjoy reading, the Geronimo Stilton picture book series was an oasis in the desert.
2. Why do you love picture books?
Efficient. Although picture books look short (in word count) and simple, their meaning can be deep, punchy, and genuine. As I mentioned, I’m not a big reader, so the idea of investing little time and still having a great impact feels like a high return (I sound like a finance person now, hahaha). Picture books are often underestimated, just like children, yet they are powerful and impactful. The thing I love most about picture books is that their creativity feels almost unlimited. I adore the way images and words work together brilliantly—especially when they contradict each other, as in most of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s books (screaming inside now!!!).
3. What kind of picture books do you love most?
It HAS to be a silent book. What? Yup, I know I’m contradicting myself here—let me explain. Although I’ve mentioned how much I love the way words and images work together, I’m still very much a visual person. Images speak to me far better than words.
Silent books aren’t very commercial in the industry, but to me, they’re like a quiet beast (just like Will in Stranger Things!). This is where the power of images is fully revealed. Words aren’t even necessary when illustrations say it all.
When I travel, I’ve built a habit of buying picture books in foreign languages and reading them as silent books. Professional Crocodile by Mariachiara Di Giorgio and Giovanna Zoboli is still my favourite. I literally laugh out loud every time I read it. Would you like me to share my favourite silent books in a future post?
4. If there’s no restriction, what books do you want to make?
A silent book about death—but told in a light-hearted way. I have a story idea in mind, though I’m still working on it.
I would also love to create a non-fiction book about vanishing culture in Hong Kong. Maybe a counting book for younger audience? History is, sadly, disappearing there, and I want children who grow up outside the city to know more about the real history of their roots—the reasons their families were forced to move away from Hong Kong. Bringing the truth to the next generation is one of my missions as an artist.
My interview with The Good Ship Illustration is now available! I had so much fun chatting with Tania. We talked about how I started illustrating, the challenges I faced along the way, and how I landed a 3-book deal as an illustrator without any formal art training. Listen here 👂🏻
Aaaaand…..
My debut picture book The Blue Tomato with Little Tiger Press will be out in June 2026!!!!!! Are there anythings that you would like to know about the making of the book? Let me know in the comment! 🙌🏻😙
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So looking forward to The Blue Tomato- loved seeing it in the dPICTUS showcase!
Ooh speaking of picture books about death, have you ever read Death, Duck and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch?? That one is part of my special collection of picture books that I keep close to my desk while I work. It’s so good! And I am 100% for making books about Hong Kong culture! It’s important to keep those stories alive 💛