About this Event
Join us for a delicious double storytime featuring Pat's two tasty new picture books! The event will feature a reading of the books, a Q&A, and a book signing.
Note on Format: This event is in-store only.
Preorder your copies of Kind Little Bao and Fried Rice Surprise in Eventbrite checkout as an add-on to your ticket.
ABOUT FRIED RICE SURPRISE
A joyful celebration of food, friendship, and culture, Fried Rice Surprise shows how a little bit of this and a little bit of that can create something magical
Fern loves opening her lunchbox—sometimes it holds something colorful, sometimes sweet and spicy, but always delicious. When she learns about the Japanese tradition of “mottainai”—never wasting what’s too good to throw away—Fern is inspired to create a meal to share with her friends. Together with her mama, she stirs up a wok of fried rice filled with everyone’s favorite flavors: curry spices, carnitas, pilaf, bok choy, and more. With lively, joyful illustrations by Shiho Pate and a heartfelt story by Patricia Tanumihardja, this picture book celebrates food, friendship, and the magic that happens when different ingredients—and people—come together.
ABOUT KIND LITTLE BAO
An adorably charming and funny picture book about a family of dumplings—and a middle child trying to stand out—for fans of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s Food Group series
When Bao’s family gathers for Lunar New Year Eve, everyone “ooh”s and “aah”s over big sister Crystal’s piano playing and little brother Wonton’s pinchable cheeks. Poor Bao feels left out!
He hatches a plan to one-up his brother and sister: Bao will collect more hong bao—red envelopes with gifts that symbolize good fortune—than both of his siblings COMBINED!
As he gathers hong bao, Bao helps his neighbors along the way. With every act of kindness, he discovers that what makes him special is something else entirely—and it’s been inside him all along.
Patricia (Pat) Tanumihardja grew up a third-culture kid, forever curious about the world around her and her place in it. Born in Jakarta and raised in Singapore, her Chinese Indonesian parents encouraged her appetites for both delicious foods and good books. Growing up surrounded by bustling markets, beloved family recipes, and stacks of well-thumbed books sparked a lifelong love of both delicious food and the written word. As a writer, Pat’s work explores food, culture, and self, and especially the in-between spaces she inhabited as an immigrant three-times-over. Her fun, heartwarming stories often echo her lived experiences buoyed by universal themes. Her debut children's book Ramen for Everyone was a JLG Gold Selection, and her newest book, Fried Rice Surprise (2026), continues her tradition of crafting heartfelt stories that nourish both belly and soul. Find her on IG: @ediblewords and https://ediblewords.com
Event venue & nearby stays
East City Bookshop, 645 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast, Washington, United States
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