My heart is full! I shared ‘My Ong Ngoai’s Garden’ at the Your Author summer series at Echo Park Branch Library this week. Seeing a room full of children and their parents/caretakers was amazing. The library staff had fruit coloring pages available and toys like foam blocks to help keep kids entertained before/after the program.
At this event, I read my book, participated in a Q&A with librarian Shirley, and enjoyed hearing about children's favorite fruits like watermelons, strawberries, bananas, and blackberries. A parent asked how to get their child to try dragon fruit. My advice? Encourage them to try it, but don't pressure them. Kids might change their minds later. I also suggest incorporating less-liked fruits into smoothies to expose them to the flavors and nutrition.
Another highlight of this library event was seeing all the children get excited about the rambutans (aka chôm chôm) that were passed around. I encouraged attendees to try that fruit if they haven’t yet, and I shared how I found these rambutans at Trader Joe's, of all places.
I also shared how I would enjoy avocado in a smoothie, known as sinh tố bơ in Vietnamese. I would blend avocado, milk, and condensed milk to make this smooth and rich drink that is more of a dessert. Avocados can be enjoyed in other ways than with salad or on toast. Now, I am curious to see if any of the attendees might try to make an avocado smoothie at home.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to present my children’s book at the library. When I began writing my book in the summer of 2022, I thought about how I would get my story into the community. Being able to share my book at the Echo Park Branch library was a dream come true, and I am excited to see what other opportunities may come up in the future.
Thank you to the Echo Park Branch Library staff and the Library Foundation of Los Angeles for making my visit possible!
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