Kids’ Storytime

Join the Chinese American Museum and Ms. Rita from the Los Angeles Public Library’s Chinatown branch for this month’s Kids’ Storytime double-feature on Tuesday, May 26, at 4pm PDT. Ms. Rita will be reading both Bitter Tea and Rock Candy by Yan Gu and Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward and illustrated by Lynn Scurfield.  

These books are suitable for ages 3-9, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision! 

This program is hosted virtually on Zoom. Register today at camla.org/storytime.

“Kids’ Storytime featuring Asian American Authors” is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library.  

About the book(s): 

Bitter Tea and Rock Candy is a tender picture book about family traditions and relationships through food. The book tells the tale of Mimi, whose Waipo LOVES liangcha. However, Mimi thinks that her grandmother’s favorite tea is just too bitter. When Waipo gives Mimi liangcha, Mimi secretly feeds it to the fish, hides it in a plant, or pours it down the sink when no one is looking. But one day, Waipo makes her liangcha with a very special ingredient. Will Waipo’s special batch of liangcha finally win Mimi over? 

Chopsticks Are a multifaceted utensil that can be so many things. From eating, to tea ceremonies, to marriage traditions, chopsticks are used in many situations and carry many unique meanings! Chopsticks also vary in size, material, and superstition. They can be for remembering, celebration, and even good luck. In this picture book, readers celebrate and explore how chopsticks are used by people all over the world and learn interesting facts along the way. 

About the author(s): 

Yan Gu is an author and illustrator from Shanghai, China. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2022 and has been creating picture books since, as they are her favorite form of storytelling. She is especially drawn to themes inspired by nature and fairytales. In her free time, Gu enjoys plein air painting and exploring new creative ideas. When she isn’t making art, she can usually be found on her terrace tending to her plants or spending time with her dog, Doudou. Bitter Tea and Rock Candy is her debut picture book, published by Macmillan in 2025.  

Chloe Ito Ward is a Japanese American author and educator. A former curriculum director, she holds a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction. She spent the past decade as a kindergarten teacher, where she discovered her passion for picture books. When she isn’t writing for children, she can be found rock climbing, dancing in the kitchen with her husband and son, or perfecting her ramen recipe. Ward is also the author of Love Grows Here (2024) and Made for More (2025). Chopsticks Are is her latest book published by Chronicle Books in 2026. 

About the illustrator: 

Lynn Scurfield is a mixed media artist and illustrator based in Toronto, Canada. She has illustrated numerous children’s books, including Two New Years and The Quest for a Tangram Dragon, both known for their bold colors and rich emotional textures. Scurfield has also worked on a variety of other projects outside of illustration, including publishing, advertising, tech, and magazines. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, watching tours of beautiful houses online, or hiking with her dog, Taro. Her most recent work includes Chopsticks Are, authored by Chloe Ito Ward.  

Seasons in Cosmos: Works by Diana Shuiu Wong

The Chinese American Museum presents Seasons in Cosmos: Works by Diana Shuiu Wong, the first exhibition to occupy the museum’s newly expanded gallery space. Join us for the opening reception on Wednesday, May 27, from 6:30 to 9 pm. (CAM members are invited for an early preview at 5:30 pm.) RSVP for free today at www.camla.org/cosmos.

Spanning more than seven decades, Wong’s body of work is emblematic of her profound connection with nature and the subject of environmental uncertainty. Her art has been described as bold, esoteric, ephemeral, and fearless.

Wong began studying calligraphy and painting at age 5 and later studied in Rome, London, and New York. She eventually settled in Los Angeles and opened her own gallery in Santa Monica. Known for blending I-Ching with traditional Chinese and contemporary Western aesthetics, Wong has often ventured beyond the conventions of formal training to experiment with the freedom of abstraction.

Don’t miss “Seasons in Cosmos,” which opens May 28 and runs through April 2027.