SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: Be My Yummy ABC
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://wanart.com/pages/
CITY: Ridgewood
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 343
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in Boston, MA; married; children: one daughter.
EDUCATION:Barnard College, B.A. (architecture).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Illustrator and author. Wanart (design studio), greeting-card designer. School of Visual Arts, New York, NY, teacher of greeting-card design and art licensing. Worked at an architectural firm for two years. Exhibitions: Work exhibited at trade shows, including the National Stationery Show and the New York International Gift Show, and at Society of Illustrators–New York Original Art Show, 2011, 2016.
AWARDS:Mills-Tannenbaum Award, Reach Out and Read of Greater New York, 2015.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Designer, illustrator, and author Joyce Wan was born in Boston, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, and she published her first greeting card at age six after winning a city design contest. With a degree in architecture, Wan was working long hours at an architecture firm when she decided to open her own design studio, Wanart. For two years she worked at both jobs, using her free time to create greeting cards and other designs that soon sold worldwide. Since leaving architecture to draw full-time, Wan has also written and illustrated children’s books, inspired by her memories of childhood when a new picture book was a special treat. As she related on her website, although her mother could not read English, “picture books enabled [us] to enjoy the pictures and make up stories together. That would be one of the greatest gifts [my] mom would ever give.”
[open new]Among Wan’s favorite childhood books were Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. Concerning her personal artistic style, Wan explained to Bird Meets Worm: “I’m inspired by Japanese pop art and all things kawaii (Japanese term used to describe cute things). I grew up in the 80’s and was obsessed (and still am!) with Hello Kitty and friends which is the epitome of kawaii. Characterized by bold, clean lines, roly-poly shapes and smiling faces, my art appeals to both children and adults. Being able to spread warmth, love and joy through my art and inspiring kids to read and draw has been the greatest honor and fills my heart with constant gratitude.” Among Wan’s favorite artists are Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, and Simone Legno.
Wan made her debut with the picture book Greetings from Kiwi and Pear. The title monkeys, illustrated in a Hello Kitty–friendly style, have sent rhyming postcards about their worldly adventures, as depicted in fold-out pictures. From paddling the Amazon to climbing the Eiffel Tower, from snorkeling around the Great Barrier Reef to riding a rocket into space, Kiwi and Pear are having a blast. A fold-out map and stamp-like stickers round out the package. Enjoying the book’s “cute, affectionate” duo, a Publishers Weekly reviewer praised Greetings from Kiwi and Pear as a “sweet and rather cuddly introduction to some noteworthy global locations.”[suspend new]
Wan has published numerous board books, sturdily constructed to withstand a toddler’s handling and often featuring animals and families. In You Are My Cupcake, a narrator calls a baby pet names inspired by sweets. “This cross between toy and book invites both sensory exploration and initiation into print awareness,” commented a Kirkus Reviews writer. Wan’s self-illustrated Hug You, Kiss You, Love You shows various animal parents expressing affection in what Booklist critic Anne Kelley described as “an adorable board book.”
Frog and Friends has an unnamed narrator describe a beautiful day spent with waterfowl, beavers, amphibians, and insects before revealing itself as a pond. The result is “an engaging riddle book with standout illustrations,” according to a Kirkus Reviews writer. In the zodiac-inspired My Lucky Little Dragon, a mother compares her baby to several newborns in the animal kingdom and, “set against subtly patterned backgrounds, the bold, friendly animals pop off the page with energy,” according to another Kirkus Reviews critic. A little bunny poses a simple question to several bigger animals in Are You My Mommy?, taking story-time audiences on what a Kirkus Reviews writer dubbed “a sweet and satisfying quest.”
In Peek-a-Boo Zoo and Peek-a-Boo Farm youngsters puzzle over an animal riddle before lifting the flap to find the answer. Wan’s “warm, round illustrations provide a soothing tone,” making Peek-a-Book Zoo “a perfect … read right before naptime,” wrote one Kirkus Reviews critic, while a colleague recommended Peek-a-Boo Farm as “a charming introduction to the familiar animals of the farm.”
Another of Wan’s self-illustrated picture books is The Whale in My Swimming Pool, the story of a young boy who finds an obstacle to his favorite activity. When his mother is too distracted to help rid their pool of the bulky cephalopod, the lad tries various tricks to get his pool back. Succeeding only in getting wet from the whale’s spout, the boy is called inside for naptime and finds a bear curled up in his bed. “All the art is drawn in thick strong line and flat color, simple and accessible,” noted a Kirkus Reviews writer, the critic dubbing The Whale in My Swimming Pool “very silly and very appealing.” In the New York Times Book Review, Emily Jenkins observed that “the hero has an antic physicality and a wide range of emotional expressions,” while in School Library Journal, Gay Lynn Van Vleck wrote that Wan’s “large, colorful illustrations set against ample space make this appropriate for group sharing.”
Good Night, Sweetie, another self-illustrated volume, introduces objects, including a star, a moon, a pillow, and a teddy bear. Wan returns to the theme of sweets in Count My Cupcakes 123. A contributor to Kirkus Reviews called the book “a harmless sugar-coated confection that won’t rot baby’s teeth.” The Bear in My Bed finds a child and his bear friend getting ready for bed. The two have difficulty sharing the child’s small mattress. “All children will enjoy the playful interactions between the boy and the bear,” remarked Sally James in School Library Journal.
[resume new]Wan’s board book You Are My Sweetheart offers a recitation of affectionate names for babies, like sweetiepie, cuddlebug, and rosebud. A Kirkus Reviews writer appreciated how everything from display type to background to subtle details are coordinated, while the text overall reads “as one rhyming poem,” with “nice rhythm and pace.” The reviewer suggested the book is “sure to elicit a smile from caregivers and their honeybuns.” The text of You Are My Magical Unicorn is full of encouragement for little ones to be bold, kind, and magical, with a unicorn setting an example by galloping, leaping, walking on a rainbow, emitting star power, and more. A Kirkus Reviews writer observed that Wan’s “newest outing in esteem-building” boasts a “solidly cheerful feel.”
Wan was inspired to write Dream Big by the concession speech Hillary Clinton gave after the 2016 presidential election, in which she encouraged girls to stay strong and keep reaching for their dreams. Wan’s board book profiles fifteen famous women, with images showing Amelia Earhart soaring through the sky, Harriet Tubman braving the nighttime wilderness, and Florence Griffith Joyner racing along, matched with simple exhortations about how to dream, whether high, far, wide, or wild. Other women featured include author Maya Angelou, scientist Jane Goodall, architect Zaha Hadid, and artist Frida Kahlo. The back matter provides longer descriptions of the women’s accomplishments. A Kirkus Reviews writer commended Dream Big as “an empowering package.”
Sleepy Farm: A Lift-the-Flap Book finds a barnyard’s worth of tired animals turning in for the night one by one. A rhyming couplet ushers each animal to bed, with a turn of the flap closing the animal’s eyes. A Kirkus Reviews writer enjoyed Wan’s “distinct, boldly outlined illustrations,” complete with “darling details,” in this “pleasant bedtime read.” Be My Yummy ABC presents an alphabet’s worth of diverse dishes that can make for adorable nicknames, from apple pie, burrito, and dosa to knish, mandu, and wonton. Back matter gives background on the foods’ cultural origins. With anthropomorphized, emoji-style foods enlivening the illustrations, a Kirkus Reviews writer affirmed that the “sentiments expressed are lovely, conveyed in simple rhymes with some downright delicious wordplay,” in this “scrumptious, intensely adorable look at the ABCs.”[close new]
Wan’s illustration work includes creating artwork for texts by other writers. Her contribution to Sandra J. Howatt’s Sleepyheads depicts all sorts of animals settling down for the night. A Kirkus Reviews critic praised Wan’s “earthy, mellow artwork” and recommended Sleepyheads as “a superb execution of soporific shapes and sounds perfect for the bedside table.”
Wan also illustrated Sue Lowell Gallion’s Pug Meets Pig and Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat. In an interview with a writer on the Mile High Reading website, Wan stated: “The two characters are a joy to draw because they are such opposites personality-wise, and so expressive in their dialogue. The books are also written almost completely in dialogue making them really fun read-alouds.” Wan added: “Pug Meets Pig is a book about embracing change, being kind to others, and finding friends in unlikely places.” Suzanne LaPierre, reviewer in School Library Journal, commented: “This cozy story is likely to hit the spot with many preschoolers and is a great choice for beginning readers.” Story Monsters Ink writer Jenna Grodzicki called Pug Meets Pig “a book that young children will want to read again and again,” while a contributor to Publishers Weekly suggested: “Proffered with the lightest of touches, it’s a story that readers can easily take to heart.” In Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat, the animal pair experiences Halloween. A Publishers Weekly critic opined: “Wan’s art is almost impossibly cute.”
The “Peep and Egg” books I’m Not Hatching, I’m Not Trick-or-Treating, I’m Not Taking a Bath, and I’m Not Using the Potty are collaborations between Wan and author Laura Gehl. The first book, I’m Not Hatching, introduces the two characters, a baby chick and an egg. Egg is worried about hatching and comes up with various hypothetical situations that would make it unpleasant to do so. Peep encourages Egg and ultimately gets him to hatch by refusing to read him a story until he does so. “Charmingly illustrated by Wan with bold strokes and spot-on facial expressions, this picture book is delightful,” asserted Amy Nolan in School Library Journal. Anita Lock, contributor to Booklist, commented: “Kids will get a kick out of Peep and Egg’s hilarious antics.”
I’m Not Trick-or-Treating finds Egg reluctant to participate in a Halloween tradition. Robin Sofge, critic in School Library Journal, suggested: “The large illustrations and simple text make this a solid choice for a preschool storytime on Halloween.” Another writer in School Library Journal, Amelia Jenkins, reviewed I’m Not Taking a Bath, stating: “The story isn’t groundbreaking, but the language is clear and uses repetition well.” A Kirkus Reviews critic called the volume “delightful.” Regarding I’m Not Using the Potty, Gretchen Hardin, contributor to School Library Journal, predicted: “Kids will appreciate the humor even if they’re past that stage.” A Kirkus Reviews writer described the volume as “a good book to help little ones who feel a bit chicken about using the potty.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, November 15, 2013, Ann Kelley, review of Hug You, Kiss You, Love You, p. 52; May 1, 2014, Carolyn Phelan, review of Sleepyheads, p. 103; February 1, 2016, Anita Lock, review of I’m Not Hatching, p. 53.
Horn Book, September-October, 2016, Sian Gaetano, review of I’m Not Trick-or-Treating, p. 72.
Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2013, review of Frog and Friends; January 1, 2014, review of Hug You, Kiss You, Love You; April 1, 2014, review of Sleepyheads; July 1, 2014, review of My Lucky Little Dragon; January 1, 2015, review of The Whale in My Swimming Pool; July 1, 2015, reviews of Are You My Mommy? and Peek-a-Boo Zoo; January 1, 2016, review of Peek-a-Boo Farm; January 1, 2017, review of You Are My Cupcake; August 1, 2017, review of Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat; September 1, 2017, review of I’m Not Trick-or-Treating; December 15, 2017, review of I’m Not Using the Potty; January 1, 2018, review of Good Night, Sweetie; June 1, 2018, review of The Bear in My Bed; July 1, 2018, review of Count My Cupcakes 123; January 1, 2019, reviews of You Are My Sweetheart and You Are My Magical Unicorn; August 15, 2019, review of Dream Big; March 15, 2020, review of Sleepy Farm: A Lift-the-Flap Book; February 1, 2025, review of Be My Yummy ABC.
New York Times Book Review, May 31, 2015, Emily Jenkins, “Kiddie Pool,” p. 45.
Publishers Weekly, June 29, 2009, review of Greetings from Kiwi and Pear; March 24, 2014, review of Sleepyheads, p. 78; November 23, 2015, review of I’m Not Hatching, p. 65; July 4, 2016, review of Pug Meets Pig, p. 64; August 1, 2016, review of I’m Not Trick-or-Treating, p. 65; December 2, 2016, review of Pug Meets Pig; June 26, 2017, review of Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat, p. 177; December 4, 2017, review of Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat, p. S63.
School Library Journal, April, 2014, Emily E. Lazio, review of Sleepyheads, p. 123; April, 2015, Gay Lynn Van Vleck, review of The Whale in My Swimming Pool, p. 137; February, 2016, Amy Nolan, review of I’m Not Hatching, p. 66; August, 2016, Suzanne LaPierre, review of Pug Meets Pig, p. 72; September, 2016, Robin Sofge, review of I’m Not Trick-or-Treating, p. 110; November, 2017, Amelia Jenkins, review of I’m Not Taking a Bath, p. 55; February, 2018, Gretchen Hardin, review of I’m Not Using the Potty, p. 52; June, 2018, Sally James, review of The Bear in My Bed, p. 59.
Story Monsters Ink, December, 2016, Jenna Grodzicki, review of Pug Meets Pig, p. 53.
ONLINE
Bird Meets Worm, https://birdmeetsworm.blogspot.com/ (January 7, 2020), “Super Star Interviews: Joyce Wan.”
Bookmark Literary website, https://bookmarkliterary.com/ (December 7, 2015), author profile.
Brand New Designs, https://www.brandnewdaydesigns.com/ (February 8, 2019), Harold Abrams, author interview.
Inky Girl, http://inkygirl.com/ (June 3, 2015), author interview.
Joyce Wan website, https://wanart.com (September 21, 2025).
KidLit 411, http://www.kidlit411.com/ (December, 2015), author interview.
Matthew C. Winner website, http://www.matthewcwinner.com/ (February 2, 2018), Matthew C. Winner, author interview.
Mile High Reading, https://readingwithmrteut.wordpress.com/ (May 23, 2016), author interview.
On Our Minds Scholastic, http://oomscholasticblog.com/ (September 18, 2017), Brooke Shearouse, author interview.
Vancity Kids, https://www.vancitykids.com/ (October 26, 2020), “Chatting with Author: Joyce Wan.”
Award-winning author-illustrator, Joyce Wan, designed a greeting card when she was in first grade for a city-wide greeting card design contest. The design won first place and was subsequently sold through a major department store. Twenty years later, that design would inspire her to launch her own design studio called Wanart where she was creating greeting cards again. These greeting cards led her to children's book publishing after meeting an art director at a trade show. Her first book GREETINGS FROM KIWI AND PEAR was published in 2009. Since then she has published over 2 dozen books for children including the best-selling YOU ARE MY CUPCAKE. Her books have now sold a total of over one million copies worldwide.
Joyce is the recipient of the Mills-Tannenbaum Award for Children's Literacy from Reach Out and Read of Greater New York which recognizes children’s book authors dedicated to promoting a lifelong love of reading in young children. She was also twice chosen to be featured at the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show which showcases original art from the year’s best children’s books (2011, 2016).
Joyce's book DREAM BIG, a board book that honors 15 female icons and trailblazers throughout history, was selected for the 2020 The Amelia Bloomer Book List presented by the American Library Association.
Joyce is originally from Massachusetts and currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter. She hopes to spread joy through all her work and inspire people to embrace the spirit of childhood and follow their dreams.
Joyce Wan is the author and illustrator of best-selling books for children including You Are My Cupcake, The Whale in My Swimming Pool, Peek-A-Boo Farm, and Sleepyheads. Her signature style—bold, joyful, and irresistibly cute—has reached millions, with over 30 published titles and more than 2 million books in print worldwide.
Joyce's creative journey began in the first grade when she won a city-wide greeting card design contest sponsored by the Art Institute of Boston. Her winning card design was sold through a major department store chain—and two decades later, that early success inspired her to launch her own design studio, creating greeting cards, apparel, and gifts sold in boutiques around the world. A serendipitous meeting with an art director at a gift trade show led to her debut picture book Greetings from Kiwi and Pear, in 2009.
Her work has since been recognized with the 2015 Mills-Tannenbaum Award for Children's Literacy from Reach Out and Read of Greater New York. Her illustrations have been featured in the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show, and her empowering book Dream Big was named to the 2020 Amelia Bloomer Book List by the American Library Association, highlighting outstanding feminist books for young readers.
Originally from Massachusetts, Joyce now lives in northern New Jersey with her husband and daughter. She creates to spark joy, inspire wonder, and celebrate the meaningful moments that connect us all.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Super Star Interviews: Joyce Wan
Welcome to my monthly interview feature! I’m so excited to be interviewing all the fabulous artists, illustrators and designers I’ve meet over the years (both personally and virtually!) and sharing their artwork and experiences here on Bird Meets Worm. Look for a new interview on the first Tuesday of every month.
This month I’m absolutely thrilled to be kicking off the New Year by catching up with the super star Illustrator Joyce Wan! I'm head-over-heels for her fabulously bold and mega-cute artwork! Joyce is an award-winning author-illustrator with over 20+ titles to her name, including Dream Big, which released last summer, and Sleepy Farm, which releases TODAY! (Hooray for Joyce!) She also runs her own stationery and gift business, Wanart, which sells products in thousands of boutiques, museum shops and gift stores worldwide. She currently live and works in Ridgewood, New Jersey with her husband and daughter. You can see more of her artwork here!
Yes, you CAN totally reach every mountain top!!!
Q: Your latest board book for Scholastic, Dream Big, is a sweet celebration of female trailblazers throughout history! (It’s so fabulous! Congratulations! Bonus: you can buy it here!) Give us the full scoop on Dream Big: how you came to be illustrating it, your teamwork with your publisher & what page is your favorite!
A: Thank you! I was inspired to write this book shortly after the 2016 elections, when listening to Hillary Clinton’s concession speech, I was struck by this line: “And to all of the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” I was also a new mom to a 6 month old baby girl at the time. I started thinking about dreams, the power of dreams, and how many of the world’s greatest accomplishments started with a dream and how I might want to convey that in book format.
The book is written in a way so that it can be read as simple affirmations about dreams or one could delve deeper into the accomplishments of the trailblazers with the glossary in the back of the book as a starting point to learning more about these women. Although the book is about women, I do think it’s important for children, girls and boys both, to see examples of women demonstrating and being recognized for a wide variety of skills, abilities and accomplishments. The message in this book is straight from my heart to readers everywhere and I hope it helps to inspire the next generation of dreamers, darers and doers.
Due to other projects, I actually did not present a finished manuscript to my editor at Scholastic for Dream Big until a year later in the Fall of 2017. My editor loved the manuscript and asked me for an art sample to see what I envisioned since the concept was a departure from my previous work. I sent her a full color illustration of Amelia Earhart in the red airplane (as seen in the book) next to the words “DREAM HIGH” and everybody at Scholastic loved it.
While working on the book, I did a ton of research for the illustration part as I wanted to make sure I got the details right. I became even more inspired and my heart overflowed with gratitude for these women when I learned more about their lives, their accomplishments, and everything they endured for their dreams.
My favorite page is the Frida Kahlo spread. I had a lot of fun working on that one as it has a dreamy quality to it with the flora and fauna in her hair expanding beyond the boundaries of the pages of the book.
Go wherever your dreams take you...
Q: Children’s book publishers have embraced the movement to inspire, create and support more diverse books for children in recent years. How do you see Dream Big fitting into that movement? And as a female Asian American illustrator, what new diverse stories would you like to see being published?
A: It’s such an exciting time to be working in children’s books and to be part of this movement. My editor and I made an effort to select a culturally diverse group of women for Dream Big. I also didn’t prominently display the women’s names on the pages as I wanted kids to see themselves in the pages of this book. Dream Big will inspire and empower kids to believe in themselves and their dreams by showing them people who look like them who have faced challenges, overcome obstacles and made a difference in the world.
I would love to see more books featuring diverse characters that aren’t explicitly about race.
Ooo!!! Isn't Frida's page SO lovely!
Q: You are a master of illustrating board books, having created well over 20+ titles! (Now THAT’S super star!) What unique considerations are necessary when developing artwork for a board book? Tell us a bit about your approach—initial concepts to sketches to final artwork.
A: Typically, the board books that I both write and illustrate start as a concept first with some simple text and doodles. Next, I write a manuscript. Then I create a visual storyboard with thumbnail sketches of the pages. This helps me plan the general layout and content of each page and text placement without having to worry too much about the details at this point. Then I draw larger, tighter images to trim size. The concept may or may not include special novelty features like flaps for a lift-the-flap book or cutouts.
If they do, like my latest book, Sleepy Farm, I usually like to create a functional mechanical (with just paper and tape/glue) to make sure these special features actually work as I imagined in my head. Sometimes there is no order to this process and I bounce back and forth between writing the manuscript, drawing the pictures and fiddling with the mechanical. It can be a very organic process when you are both the author and the illustrator.
I would then send the sketches to my editor for approval (this may include pictures of my mechanicals or sometimes I show the mechanical in person). If it is a book with a special feature like lift-the-flap, the publisher may need to consult with their printer to figure out the best way to achieve the desired result. Then they may send me templates for me to incorporate my final artwork. If there are no special features, I just go straight to final artwork once sketches are approved.
Darling new release!! (Psst! You can buy it here!)
Q: I absolutely love your bold, graphic art style and adorable characters! Dish with us a bit about your creative influences & inspirations: the who/the what/the where.
A: I’m inspired by Japanese pop art and all things kawaii (Japanese term used to describe cute things). I grew up in the 80’s and was obsessed (and still am!) with Hello Kitty and friends which is the epitome of kawaii. Characterized by bold, clean lines, roly-poly shapes and smiling faces, my art appeals to both children and adults. Being able to spread warmth, love and joy through my art and inspiring kids to read and draw has been the greatest honor and fills my heart with constant gratitude. Artists who I admire include Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, Simone Legno, FriendsWithYou—all kawaii-influenced artists who have managed to bridge the gap between commercial and fine art and have taken their art across all different kinds of mediums.
Q: What was your most treasured picture book as a child? What is your most favorite picture book now? Why?
A: The Very Hungry Caterpillar was a book I loved as a child and is still one of my favorites now. It's wonderfully surprising, tactile and almost magical elements still inspire me today.
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My most perfect Sunday involves sleeping in, enjoying a big, yummy bowl of pho followed by some bubble tea and exploring a new neighborhood, strolling through a flea market or perusing the shelves of an independent bookstore with my husband and daughter.
Thank you SO much, Joyce, for chatting it up with us here at Bird Meets Worm!! We think you're absolutely wonderful!
Chatting with Author: Joyce Wan
October 26, 2020By admin0 Comments
Chatting with Author: Joyce Wan
How did you decide to become a children’s writer and illustrator?
After working in the field of architecture for a few years I realized it was not very fulfilling. With no formal art education and a huge leap of faith, I started Wanart in 2003 with an initial focus on designing and manufacturing my own greeting card line. When I first started Wanart, I was working at a 9am-6pm job at an architectural firm. I would spend the night/early morning hours on my own business with only a few hours of sleep in between the two “jobs”. I did this for two years before I quit my full time job to pursue my own business full-time. I spent the early years taking lots of continuing education classes, taking odd jobs here and there, reading lots of marketing books, teaching myself design programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, and lots of drawing, relying on nothing but hope and passion to keep me going most of the time. I continually put myself out there and exhibited my products at trade shows all over the country such as the National Stationery Show and the New York International Gift Show. Between the trial and error (and tears!) were some small successes and then my major break came when I met the art director from my first publisher, Blue Apple Books, in 2008 at a gift show. The art director told me they had seen my cards in stores, had been following my work, and even had some of my cards in their office. This led to the publication of my first book Greetings from Kiwi and Pear which was based on one of my best-selling greeting card lines. While working on this book I had an epiphany that I was doing exactly what I was born to do. Almost 10 years later, I’ve now had over 20 books published and I’ve worked with publishers such as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, and Scholastic. It’s a dream come true.
When did you start writing and illustrating children’s book?
I did not start until I was approached by the art director of Blue Apple Books in 2008. This is when I took one of my greeting card lines featuring monkeys travelling the world and turned it into a book.
Where do you get your inspiration for your books?
My childhood, things that make me laugh or smile, and japanese pop art.
On average, how long does it take to write and illustrate a book?
The timeline varies from book to book and each book has its own challenges. I also let ideas simmer in my brain for a long time before I put things down on paper. Generally, board books can take me 1-3 months and picture books can take 6 months to years.
What was your favorite children’s book while growing up and why?
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, the poems and drawings were quirky and fun yet they taught us many important life lessons. That book is still as refreshing to read as an adult as they were when I was a child.
Who’s your favorite children author and why?
Eric Carle, the imagery in his books are so bold and iconic and the stories are simple and timeless.
Were you always a good writer and illustrator?
I have been drawing as long as I can remember. Writing came much later and it’s still something I am working on improving all the time.
What advice would you give kids struggling with writing?
How can they improve with their writing?You can learn so much from just reading a lot. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Just get your ideas on paper as you can always polish it later.
What advice would you give kids who wants to be an illustrator like yourself?
Draw everyday. Although I did not have any formal art training, having a greeting card company was the best education I gave to myself as I had to put out new greeting card collections every year so it forced me to not only draw a lot but draw things that people might buy. The more you draw the better you will get. Keep a sketch book handy to jot down and all your ideas and doodle.
What are the steps you take in creating a book?
It varies depending on the type of project I’m working on. I’m usually bouncing between board books and picture books that I’ve written to illustrating other authors’ picture book texts. A lot of my early book ideas were inspired by my greeting card designs. “You Are My Cupcake” is based on a line of my New Baby cards and “My Lucky Little Dragon” is inspired by my line of my zodiac animals cards. With my board books it usually starts as a concept with some simple text and doodles. Here is the concept sketch when I first came up with the idea for “You Are My Cupcake” back in 2009:
After this phase, I will do more detailed sketches to size, scan, and take it to finish using programs like Illustrator or Photoshop.
For picture books with a central character I may do character studies first like this one from “The Whale In My Swimming Pool”:
With picture books I also like to create a visual storyboard with thumbnail sketches like this one from “Sleepyheads”. This helps me plan the general layout of each page and text placement without having to worry too much about the details at this point. I also jot down any other ideas or questions to think about I may have for each page.
Generally, the books that I write myself start with a concept, then I write the words, and then I draw the pictures. As I’m writing the words, I have pictures in my head. When I start drawing the pictures, the text may change. It’s a constant dialogue back and forth between words and pictures. Sometimes, actually, most of the time, it feels like a chaotic process but somehow it all works out beautifully in the end!
Out of all the books you created, which book is your favorite one and why?
“You Are My Cupcake” is probably my favorite as the success of that book has enabled me to keep creating books.
Wan, Joyce YOU ARE MY MAGICAL UNICORN Cartwheel/Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $6.99 12, 26 ISBN: 978-1-338-33410-4
Wan takes her rhyming formula, previously applied to pumpkins, cupcakes, and more, and uses a unicorn as a vehicle for her newest outing in esteem-building.
"You are magical, my little one. / Reach for the stars, the moon, the sun." In each image, a rotund white unicorn with flowing, rainbow-colored mane and tail, stubby yellow horn, and yellow stars on its rump poses fetchingly, gallops adorably, or leaps cunningly. It repels angry thunder clouds as it trots along a rainbow and emits stars as it's exhorted to "sparkle and dazzle" in front of a small throng of admiring woodland animals. The artist's signature thick, black outlines and smiley faces (except for the frowning thunder clouds) give the book a solidly cheerful feel that is reinforced by the pastel palette. Landing as it does in an environment in which an emphasis on resilience is superseding rank cheerleading in early-childhood instruction and in which empathy must be cultivated, it feels only half-baked. It's all well and good to tell babies to "let your wondrous light shine through. / Baby, I believe in you!" But with no modeling of how to overcome adversity beyond the instruction not to "let fear stand in your way" nor even any sense that other creatures may be equally deserving of attention, it feels like the cotton candy it resembles.
Sweetness with no substance. (Board book. 1-3)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Kirkus Media LLC
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Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Wan, Joyce: YOU ARE MY MAGICAL UNICORN." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A567651807/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=61d059bf. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
Wan, Joyce YOU ARE MY SWEETHEART Cartwheel/Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $6.99 10, 30 ISBN: 978-1-338-04536-9
A simple rhyming board book covers all things sweet and loving.
Wan's glitter-encrusted board book is a sweet, delicious ode to pet names for a baby from "sweetie pie" to "cuddlebug." Each double-page spread features these anthropomorphized symbols of love, drawn in bold lines with sweet cartoon expressions. The name of the focal object is highlighted by its own matching display type. The word "rosebud," for example, is drawn with tiny roses inside the letters to match the accompanying illustration. Each layout includes sweet details: The background of the pages echoes the main illustration (and even the bee flying toward the rosebud leaves a trail in the air in the shape of a heart). Readers will enjoy finding new details to admire each time they sit down with the book. From start to finish, the text reads as one rhyming poem, giving it a nice rhythm and pace. Adults reading to little ones in their laps will take full advantage of the book's direction to cuddle, kiss, and hug. Overall, this simple, well-paced read is sure to elicit a smile from caregivers and their honeybuns alike.
There's nothing abundantly original in this book, but it's just sweet enough to earn a spot on little readers' bookshelves. (Board book. 6-18 mos.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Wan, Joyce: YOU ARE MY SWEETHEART." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A567651470/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=bcce8ef7. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
Wan, Joyce DREAM BIG Cartwheel/Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $9.99 7, 9 ISBN: 978-1-338-33868-3
Youngsters meet accomplished women, both historic and contemporary.
Zaha Hadid admires one of her buildings; Amelia Earhart flies an airplane; and Harriet Tubman braves the woods at night. In alternating double- and single-page spreads, prominent women are depicted with oversized, oval heads and toddler-esque bodies along with the activities they are known for. This design choice may both attract and confuse little ones, as the audience is likely to assume these figures are children. The text follows a gentle pattern with the two-word phrases appearing on the single-page spreads and a three-word phrase on the double-page spreads. For the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, poet/author Maya Angelou, and scientist Jane Goodall, the verse reads: "Dream FAR, / Dream WIDE, // Dream WILD dreams." However, the name of each featured woman is hard to find, as it hidden in a very small, script type embedded in each illustration. Thankfully, a list of all the women presented appears in the back along with a short description of their accomplishment. The diversity of the women presented is refreshing, as 10 of the 15 figures are people of color. While many of the activities these women engage in will be accessible to toddlers, such as Frida Kahlo's painting and Florence Griffith Joyner's running, others may take more explanation from a grown-up, such as the math and science of Katherine Johnson and Chien-Shiung Wu. The final double-page spread encourages children to follow their own dreams in a setting that shows women engaged in a variety of activities.
An empowering package that needs adult intercession. (Board book. 2-4)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Kirkus Media LLC
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Wan, Joyce: DREAM BIG." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A596269559/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=d466ecf4. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
Wan, Joyce SLEEPY FARM Cartwheel/Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $6.99 1, 7 ISBN: 978-1-338-33871-3
Each animal in this board book goes to bed with a lift of a flap.
Wan’s distinct, boldly outlined illustrations show each farm animal going to bed. The animals are tucked in with a simple rhyming couplet (“Off to sleep, / little sheep”), and the turn of the flap shows the animal, eyes closed and blanket pulled up, with their animal sound (“BAA”). The opening spread depicts all of the animals, eyes heavy, the moon and stars with sweet faces shining above them. In the pages that follow, there are darling details found in the background and on the animals’ blankets. There are buzzing dragonflies flying in heart patterns behind the frog, for example, and lily pads on its covers. After they’ve worked out some initial stiffness, little readers will enjoy pulling down the flap that transforms the animal’s face into its sleeping version tucked into bed. This say-goodnight-to-the animals concept has certainly been done before, and while Wan doesn’t usher in a new age of bedtime book, this does work as a well-paced, familiar outing, comforting to little ones and caregivers alike. It’s this familiarity that makes the book a suitable choice for winding down before bed, the ever hopeful line, “Ready to sleep / the whole night through,” echoing loudly in all caregivers’ ears.
The well-paced conventionality of this one makes it a pleasant bedtime read. (Board book. 1-2)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Wan, Joyce: SLEEPY FARM." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A617192863/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=001ab728. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
Wan, Joyce BE MY YUMMY ABC Hippo Park/Astra Books for Young Readers (Children's None) $14.99 1, 14 ISBN: 9781662640766
From the sweet to the savory, delicacies from various cultures introduce letters of the alphabet.
"I could just eat you up!" With this tasty treat, Wan offers caregivers a litany of creative ways to convey that familiar message. A different anthropomorphized food takes center stage on each page, paired with loving affirmations addressed to little ones.A is for "my warm APPLE PIE, / just you and me," whileB is for "My BURRITO baby, / snug as can be." Other dishes include a "swirly, whirly DOSA dream," a "cutie-patootie / potatoey KNISH," a "squishy MANDU," and a "WONTON wonder." This alphabetically arranged feast is followed up with backmatter that lists each food's pronunciation, its country of origin, and a brief description. The eye-catching, apple-cheeked, emojilike foods beam up at readers, while details in the art occasionally reference the dishes' ingredients or cultural origins. The empanada stands in front of a tomato, a hunk of cheese, and a pepper, while the gyoza is depicted with a pair of chopsticks. Though some may find the illustrations saccharine, with their abundance of hearts, rainbows, and sparkles, the sentiments expressed are lovely, conveyed in simple rhymes with some downright delicious wordplay. A foldout poster featuring all the letters and corresponding foods is included.
A scrumptious, intensely adorable look at the ABCs.(Picture book. 0-3)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Wan, Joyce: BE MY YUMMY ABC." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A825128340/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b71c5b5d. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.