Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 42 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Balestier Press
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2024.
Content Rating: G
Mei’s Mermaid Mission by Crystal Z. Lee
Author Interview
1. There are some specialty ships mentioned in Mei’s Mermaid Mission. Can you share them with our readers?
- Turtle ships were armored battleships used from the 15th-19th centuries in Korea. The ships resembled turtles with their fully covered plates.
- Dragon boats have been around for more than two thousand years! They are traditional paddled long boats with decorative dragon heads and tails. Today they can be found all over Asia, such as in Taiwan, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, China, Laos, the Philippines, etc.
- Moon boats are traditional Bangladeshi fishing boats with a distinctive crescent moon shape.
2. We love the vibrant outfits on each mermaid in your book. What was the inspiration behind that?
Each mermaid’s outfit is inspired by either the mermaid mythology from their home country, or from the traditional wear originating from their native culture. For example, Mei the Taiwanese mermaid is wearing Indigenous Tao clothing, Ningyo the Japanese mermaid is illustrated to have a ninja vibe, and Sirena the Filipina mermaid is wearing an interpretation of the baro’t saya (the traditional dress of the Philippines).
3. You seem to have penchant for animals in your picture books. Is there a reason for that?
You’re right! My other picture books, Kai the Dancing Butterfly and A Unicorn Named Rin also include many animals. I believe that as stewards of the earth, humans have a responsibility towards other animals and creatures we share this planet with. I think children should be taught this great purpose from a young age.
4. There are many endangered animals mentioned in Mei’s Mermaid Mission. Which ones made an impression on you?
- Blue whale: The heart of a blue whale is the largest of any animal in the world!
- Hainan gibbon: Found only in China, Hainan Gibbons are known for their singing, and they sometimes even sing in duets!
- Whale sharks: As the world’s largest fish, a whale shark is about the size of a bus. The Philippines boasts the third largest known aggregation of whale sharks in the world.
- Taiwanese humpback dolphin: Found only off the coast of Taiwan, these humpback dolphins may sometimes appear pink!
5. Tell us about your writing and publishing journey.
I started writing my first novel, Love and Other Moods, when I was still living in Taipei and Shanghai. Later when we moved back to California, I started taking publishing and writing courses at Stanford University. The pitching journey was challenging. I was first working with a US indie press and had landed a literary agent, but later I parted ways with both amicably. Then a British press accepted my manuscript and I’ve stayed with them since! My next three books were children’s picture books: A Unicorn Named Rin, Kai the Dancing Butterfly, and Mei’s Mermaid Mission. I also dabbled in other forms of literature such as poetry. Last year my poetry was accepted into a UK anthology, Tabula Rasa.
6. Mei’s Mermaid Mission references names from mermaid mythologies in Asia. Tell our readers about some of them.
In Cambodian and Thai mythology, Sovann Macha was a golden mermaid who led a pack of mer-warriors.
In Korean lore, there is a love story between King Eunhye and a mermaid princess, Hwangok. Princess Hwangok lived at Busan and patiently kept vigil for Eunhye by the shore.
My book references names from mermaid mythologies that have permeated the Asia Pacific region, some of them for centuries. I’ve always been fascinated with the underwater world so writing this book was a wonderful journey.
Crystal Z. Lee grew up in a bilingual household in Taiwan and in California. She is an avid traveler and has visited over thirteen countries in Asia. Her favorite travel memories include hiking the forests of Borneo, boating in Phuket, cruising down the Yangtze River, chasing butterflies in Taiwan, attending literary festivals in Hong Kong, and visiting family in Singapore. Crystal is the author of children’s books A Unicorn Named Rin and Kai the Dancing Butterfly. Her poetry was recently included in the UK anthology, Tabula Rasa. She is also the author of a novel, Love and Other Moods.
connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Meet the Illustrator:
Allie Su was born and raised in a village in Yunlin county, Taiwan. She attended Nanhua University in Chiayi city, majoring in Visual Arts. Allie once lived in Korea for some time, volunteering in the area of animal protection. She loves kimchi, Korean saunas, Incheon’s snowy winters, and taking boat rides to Yeouido. She believes in bringing joy to people through art. Allie has worked as a children’s art teacher and a professional illustrator. She also illustrated a picture book about Taiwan, Kai the Dancing Butterfly.
MEI’S MERMAID MISSION by Crystal Z Lee Book Tour Giveaway
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splashesofjoy 
Apr 08, 2024 @ 20:29:03
so cute
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