I Am Golden

I Am Golden follows Mei, a young Chinese American girl living in New York with her immigrant parents. The narrative takes place through letters from her parents, explaining their journey and hopes for their daughter. Sophie Diao's illustrations blend traditional Chinese artistic elements with contemporary New York scenes. The artwork features striking golden tones and depicts both cultural symbols and daily life in America. The picture book reached #8 on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2022, marking a significant debut collaboration between author Eva Chen and illustrator Sophie Diao, who both share experiences as children of Chinese immigrants. The story explores themes of cultural identity, family bonds, and the immigrant experience in America. Through its parent-child narrative structure, the book presents a celebration of Chinese American identity and the connection between generations.

Parents and educators appreciate this book for helping Asian American children feel proud of their identity and heritage. Many reviewers note their children request repeated readings and relate to the main character's experiences. Readers liked: - The illustrations capture authentic details of Chinese American family life - Clear message about embracing cultural identity - Bilingual elements with Chinese characters - Discussion opportunities between parents and children Readers disliked: - Some found the messaging heavy-handed - A few noted the text feels aimed more at parents than children - Price point ($18.99) considered high for length Ratings: Goodreads: 4.34/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) "Finally a book that helps explain to my daughter why she looks different from her friends," writes one Amazon reviewer. Another notes: "The metaphors might go over young children's heads, but the artwork keeps them engaged while parents can explain the deeper meaning."

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🌟 Eva Chen was Instagram's first head of fashion partnerships before becoming an accomplished children's book author 🌟 The title "I Am Golden" is inspired by the traditional Chinese belief that the color gold symbolizes prosperity, nobility, and good fortune 🌟 Illustrator Sophie Diao has worked as a Google Doodle artist, creating many of the special illustrations seen on Google's homepage 🌟 The book was partially inspired by the rise in anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to empower Asian American children 🌟 Eva Chen wrote this book as a love letter to her younger self and her own children, drawing from her experiences growing up as a first-generation Chinese American in New York City