We have the great fortune of virtually hosting author, illustrator, and advocate for diversity, Grace Lin at Hindley! It is through your generous donations that the PTO Board & Enrichment Committee were able to make this happen. The themes of kindness and acceptance that she explores in her books align beautifully with that which Mrs. Snowden continues to cultivate in our school. Ms. Lin is considered a prolific and highly accomplished cultural figure, and her work has captured nearly every major award in the field of children’s literature, including the Caldecott Honor, Massachusetts Book Award, and the Newbery Honor medal.
Ms. Lin will be hosting two virtual presentations for all of the children at Hindley: Big Mooncake for Little Starand and its companion book, A Big Bed for Little Snow, for the Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade classes, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moonfor the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade classes. In preparing for her arrival, the PTO has generously paid for new Grace Lin books for each classroom so that the children and teachers have ample opportunity and time to become (more) familiar with her work.
As you know, it is an incredible opportunity to have such a skilled author and illustrator virtually visit our school. To help familiarize families with Ms. Lin’s works ahead of her visit, please consider adding some of the below titles to your home library. These books are available for purchase until Monday, October 4th via your family accounts at pay4schoolstuff.com. To order a book(s), please access pay4schoolstuff.com, click the SELECT button to the right of your student’s name to begin shopping for a student, then the “Grace Lin Book Order” SELECT button to place your order. A portion of sales will go to the PTO to support future enrichment events. As always, financial assistance is available and any requests should be made with Principal Snowden.
The first 5 book orders will receive an autographed, personalized book plate (one book plate per order)! Winners will be contacted by email to confirm personalization.
| Title | Description | Price |
| A Big Mooncake for Little Star | A gorgeous picture book that tells a whimsical origin story of the phases of the moon. Pat, pat, pat…Little Star’s soft feet tiptoed to the Big Mooncake. Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she’s not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can’t resist a nibble? | $18.99 (hardcover) |
| A Big Bed for Little Snow | A heartwarming and tender picture book introducing readers to their first snow. A companion to the Caldecott Honor book A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Little Snow loves the new big, soft bed Mommy made him for the long, cold winter nights. But Mommy says this bed is for sleeping, not jumping! What happens when he can’t resist jump, jump, jumping on his new fluffy, bouncy bed? | $18.99 (hardcover) |
| Where the Mountain Meets the Moon | This is a wonderous novel with an epic journey and memorable characters in the tradition of The Wizard of Oz. From the beautiful design and the breathtaking full-color illustrations throughout, to the gentle humor and touching prose, this book is truly a gem. (for grades 3-6) In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer. | $11.99 (paperback) |
| When the Sea Turned to Silver | A fast-paced adventure that is extraordinarily written and beautifully illustrated, When the Sea Turned to Silver is a masterpiece companion novel to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky. Pinmei’s gentle, loving grandmother always has the most exciting tales for her granddaughter and the other villagers. However, the peace is shattered one night when soldiers of the Emperor arrive and kidnap the storyteller. Everyone knows that the Emperor wants something called the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night. Determined to have her grandmother returned, Pinmei embarks on a journey to find the Luminous Stone alongside her friend Yishan, a mysterious boy who seems to have his own secrets to hide. Together, the two must face obstacles usually found only in legends to find the Luminous Stone and save Pinmei’s grandmother–before it’s too late. | $9.99 (paperback) |
| Mulan Before the Sword | New York Times bestselling author Grace Lin pens this novel filled with adventure and wonder set as a prequel to Walt Disney Studio’s Mulan film. Family is important to Hua Mulan — even if her parents don’t understand why she would rather ride her horse, Black Wind, than weave, or how her notorious clumsiness can be so different from the graceful demeanor of her younger sister, Xiu. But despite their differences, Mulan has a deep love for her family, especially Xiu. So when her sister is bitten by a poisonous spider, Mulan does everything she can to help, including seeking out a renowned healer. However, it quickly becomes apparent that there is more to both the mysterious spider bite and the healer than meets the eye. On a quest with the Jade Rabbit of legend, Mulan visits extraordinary places, meets Immortals, and faces incredible obstacles while searching for an antidote for her sister. And the danger only rises when Mulan learns of a prophecy foretelling that a member of the Hua family will one day save the Emperor . . . and of the powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to prevent it from coming to pass. | $16.99 (hardcover) |
Thank you for this incredible opportunity for our children! Drawing on real-life school connections for our own aspiring readers, writers and authors is so valuable. We invite you to visit her website to read more about Ms. Lin, her history, her interests, and some fun activities you can do at home with your child to prepare for her upcoming visit.