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 on Tuesday, January 13, at 4pm PST. Ms. Rita will be reading Tofu Takes Time by Helen H. Wu and illustrated by Julie Jarema. 

This book is suitable for ages 4-9, 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: 

Lin and her grandma, NaiNai, make tofu from scratch. As NaiNai carefully guides Lin through each step—from blending the soybeans to pressing the curds into shape—Lin grows increasingly impatient. Along the way, however, she begins to realize that making tofu requires more than just time and effort. It takes patience, care, and even the whole universe working together! Lin soon learns to slow down and appreciate both the process and the precious time spent with her NaiNai.  

About the author: 

Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author, illustrator, and translator. Born and raised in Hefei, China, she now resides in San Diego, California with her family and two kids. She is also the Associate Publisher of Yeehoo Press, a San Diego-based children’s book publisher. A proud first-generation immigrant, Wu draws on her own experiences to create stories that inspire and empower children to better understand the world and their connections to it. Her proudest moments are when her own children patiently listen to her stories. Wu is the author of Tofu Takes Time (Beaming Books, 2022), and Long Goes to Dragon School, illustrated by Mae Beson (YeeHoo Press, 2023).  

About the illustrator: 

Julie Jarema is an illustrator and writer known for her work on picture books such as Tofu Takes Time by Helen H. Wu (Beaming Books, 2022) and Chloe and the Fireflies by Chris Clarkson (Abrams, 2024). Born in China and adopted to the United States, she lived in several states while growing up. Before focusing on writing and illustration, Jarema worked with organizations including The American Booksellers Association, Avid Bookshop, and the Hub City Writers Project. When she’s not making up stories, she is usually biking or knitting. Some of her favorite things include picture books, crossword puzzles, and live theater. In the future, she aspires to design an escape room, create a theater set, or illustrate a menu of decorative cakes.