A popular Hong Kong-born Canadian actress is holding a children's book launch with her co-author in Richmond this Saturday.
Grace Chan and Jillian Ma, a Burnaby teacher, are hosting an event at Aberdeen Centre on May 10 for the release of their self-published book "I Love You From the Sun to the Moon."
Visitors can expect book sales, a live reading, a meet-and-greet and photo opportunities with both Chan and Ma from 1 to 4 p.m. in the mall's main atrium.
The book gives a glimpse of moments between Chan and her children.
“Our book is just things that I value as a mother to my kids, whether it’s about their integrity or being honest or persevering when they don’t want to," said Chan.
“Everyone has their own type of perseverance, and it can also be done in different ways.”
She told the Richmond News she doesn't want the book to be considered a "rule book" for parents. Rather, a reference point.
"We know that there is not one rule book that works for everyone. This is just a reference point for you to be like, 'Hey, these things are important,' and incorporating them in a child's heart to learn those lessons."
Both co-authors said the book is meant as a place to start conversations.
"We didn't want it to be a story fitting into a theme of some sort," said Ma.
"It's about finding something that resonates with the readers through the book."
Chan further added that the story from the book can be "whatever you want from it."
"Whether it’s entertainment, whether you read it because it was a bedtime story, and you needed something to do other than just saying goodnight, and then leaving the room. Just a moment to have with them," said Chan.
When parents tell children "how (kids) need to think" after reading a book, she added, it defeats the purpose of a story.
"The greatest part of a story, not like a movie that feeds you everything, is that you can have endless possibilities. There's no 'fitting into a box' framework."
Meeting of the co-authors
When asked how the two co-authors met, Ma, a fan of Chan's, "slid into her DMs" on Instagram to offer her a copy of one of her previously published books, to which Chan responded she would greatly appreciate it.
"At first, I was like very happy. I was like 'Is it real?" said Ma.
Chan, a well-known Hong Kong actress, digital content creator and mother of three, said after receiving and reading Ma's book, she was inspired to write her own, especially in a generation where digital devices are in the hands of everyone.
“I really wanted to speak by example, by having a book that I could also not only write down the memories of my kids, but also give them this practice of reading," she explained.
Ma has written three books, with "I Love You From the Sun to the Moon" being her fourth book and first-ever collaborative piece.
“I’m very happy to write this book with Grace, and it’s a different type of collaboration," she said.
“This is my first time writing with another person, so it was good to bounce ideas with Grace often. We created this thing, this precious present.”
Bigger message than 'commercializing' a book
New book launches are often found online for easier access to readers around the globe.
However, Chan and Ma have decided not to commercialize the book.
The book launch will be the only time the community can purchase their book, as online sales are not in their plans at the moment.
Chan will also have a Chinese version of the book released in Hong Kong, however, she told the News that they are only selling to schools that are supporting them by purchasing books during live readings at these educational institutions.
"We're finding a way so that these books go in a mass lot back to the people who are having these talks with us," she explained.
"There are a lot of schools with underprivileged kids and families, and even one with (special educational needs) children."
Chan explained that the reason behind this book launch format is because of her current work where she often highlights products or launches items on her social accounts.
"I really didn’t want this to be a product. I didn’t want people to think, 'Oh, Grace has created something that she wants us to buy and pay her for it.'
“I felt like there was definitely a bigger message and picture that needed to be conveyed, which is really about sharing the concept of reading and all of the values that are captured in our book.
“I didn’t want to do it in a very commercial way. That’s why we self-published.”
Celebrating ahead of Mother's Day
Fairchild Radio hosted its first "Supermom Happy Hour" afternoon party on May 9 where invited guests attended with their moms for tea, snacks and performances at Richmond's Little Kari Seafood and Bar.
And to add to that, Chan was invited as a special guest who shared both touching and humorous stories on motherhood, offering insightful reflections on parenting, according to a Fairchild media release.
Several audience members of the event received a copy of Chan and Ma's "I Love You From the Sun to the Moon" book. Meanwhile, many fans snapped selfies with Chan.
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