We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America - by Joanna Ho (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An anthem for Asian America that celebrates the richness and diversity within the Asian American identity and serves as a reminder of our self worth, our legacy and most of all, our destiny"--

Book Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Joanna Ho, comes an uplifting call to action that highlights Asian American history, paired with vibrant and colorful illustrations by artist and activist, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya.

In Joanna Ho's true classic style, she creates a poetic ode that celebrates Asian American communities and their history. We Who Produce Pearls, is an anthem for Asian America that celebrates the richness and diversity within the Asian American identity and serves as a reminder of our self worth, our legacy and most of all, our destiny. Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya's signature bright and bold palette brings to light the strength and power within us all, creating a mesmerizing, stunning, and magical masterpiece that proves how we can shape our pain and struggle into one of joy and power. Together, Joanna and Amanda remind readers to rise up, speak out, and step into power.

Review Quotes

Praise for We Who Produce Pearls:

Bold, pop art-style graphics and lyrical phrasing distinguish this powerful picture book. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Striking and defiant: an unabashed declaration of hope. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Highly recommended [...] as this history is too often untold and deserves such a compelling presentation as this. -- School Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Joanna Ho is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of many children's books, including We Who Produce Pearls, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, and The Silence That Binds Us, her debut young adult novel, which received the Young Adult Honor for the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. She earned her master's in educational leadership at Berkeley, and her passion for equity in books and education is matched only by her love of homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids. Visit her at joannahowrites.com.

Born in Atlanta to Thai and Indonesian immigrants, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya studied neuroscience at Columbia University before becoming a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and activist. Her work examines the unseen labor of women, amplifies AAPI narra-tives, and affirms the depth, resilience and beauty of communities of color. Her art has reclaimed space in museums and galleries, at protests and rallies, on buildings, highway tunnels, subway corridors, classrooms, and on the cover of TIME magazine. Amanda has been artist-in-residence with the NYC Commission on Human Rights and her work has been acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of the City of New York, the Museum of Chinese in America, and the Library of Congress. In 2023, she was appointed to the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities where she advises the President on how art can foster community well-being. Amanda and her husband live in Brooklyn, NY. Visit her at alonglastname.com.