My Book Announcements

My Book News!

Picture Book Announcement: Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación

Picture Book Announcement: Fortune Cookies for Everyone by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage

Cover reveal for The Traveling Taco by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong

An exploration of the history of kids’ favorite foods from around the world

From pizza to pasta and ice cream to French fries, some of our favorite foods have a surprising history, and many of them have traveled far from where they originated! Did you know many well-known dishes are food immigrants? The Al Pastor Taco traveled from Lebanon to Puebla, Mexico! French fries originated in Belgium! And pasta arrived in Italy long before Marco Polo visited China. This fascinating nonfiction book featuring rhyming text takes the reader on travels around the world to celebrate foods, their history, and surprising origins. Join Mia Wenjen for a fact-packed journey of discovery that will make your mouth water as you travel the unexpected road of some of our favorite foods. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

I am thrilled to announce that We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gomez, is a Junior Library Guild Gold selection.

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World has won the Silver Nautilus Book for Children’s Picture Books / Non-Fiction Ages 2- 6 Years (Preschool-Grade 2).

Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to the nonfiction picture book Fortune Cookies for Everyone by Mia Wenjen (l.) (Food for the Future), illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage (Piano Wants to Play), which tells the history and “true” story behind a favorite sweet treat. It’s slated for fall 2025; Lary Rosenblatt at 22 MediaWorks represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.

I am thrilled that Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World made the Massachusetts Book Award Long List!

We Sing From the Heart: How The Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court! by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gómez

A compelling account of Simon Tam’s fight for free speech that ended with a landmark Supreme Court decision

Music is a way to transcend cultures and divides. Simon Tam used his band’s name, The Slants®, to make a powerful statement that racist insults could no longer be hurtful to Asian Americans. But then the U.S. Trade and Patent Office tries to stop him. In his eight-year battle to win trademark protection, Simon would go all the way to the Supreme Court in a landmark case to rout out structural racism in our government systems. Mia Wenjen takes us back to Simon’s early days and the formation of the band, to the long battle to claim the name they chose to use. We learn of his motivations and the years-long struggle that leads ultimately to the Supreme Court of the United States. Told using lyrics from the band’s hit song about their trademark fight, this compelling story will keep readers riveted until the dramatic ending. We Sing from the Heart gives background and context to the significance of Simon’s quest, not just for him and his band, but for free speech rights for us all. Newcomer to children’s books, Victor Bizar Gómez, channels the indie music world with dynamic artwork that compliments the storytelling and is sure to draw in readers with his exciting graphic approach. [picture book biography, ages 8 and up]

It releases on November 12, 2024 but pre-order is available now!

Get it here

or here

FoodfortheFuture_ActivityPack

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime Kickstarter!

I’m running a Kickstarter campaign to presell my newest picture book, Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime.

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Kai Gietzen

Dad needs to get Boxer Baby down for her nap but she is not going down without a fight! This funny picture book told in three rounds includes boxing idioms. This picture book also celebrates the unsung heroes — dads who stay home to care for their children. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

My Kickstarter ends on September 21, 2023. Go here to check it out.

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World Earns Starred Review from School Library Journal!

I’m thrilled to announce my first starred review ever!

An exciting overview of traditional and innovative farming techniques

that will warrant repeated reading, for casual browsing or classroom use.

–Sally A. James

Announcing My Newest Picture Book with Red Comet Press!

I’m thrilled to announce a new picture book through Red Comet Press. We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gomez. This is the story of Simon Tam, the leader of the popular all-Asian-American dance-pop band, The Slants®, and his nine-year battle to trademark his band’s name.

—–

Food for the Future selected by dPICTUS as 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes is my Kickstarter book, created in collaboration with 22MediaWorks. It’s available via my website and Amazon. Scholastic will include it in their flyers and book fairs starting June of 2023.