Yangsook Choi!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are looking into the work and life of an incredible children’s author and artist; Yangsook Choi! I was even lucky enough to ask her a few questions!

Yangsook Choi was born in Seoul, South Korea, and began drawing when she was just four years old. Even though her parents encouraged her to focus on academics, she secretly kept sketching, knowing art was her true passion. At 24, she moved to the United States to pursue that dream, eventually earning a master’s degree in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. That leap of faith set the stage for her career as both an author and illustrator, with books that highlight culture, empathy, and the importance of belonging.

Her breakout book, “The Name Jar”, tells the story of a young Korean girl named Unhei who considers changing her name after moving to America. With warmth and honesty, Choi explores themes of identity and acceptance, making the book a favorite in classrooms and libraries around the world. She also found inspiration in her own childhood with “Peach Heaven”, a whimsical retelling of the day peaches rained down in her hometown of Bucheon. Both books showcase her ability to take deeply personal experiences and transform them into universal stories that resonate with readers everywhere.

What makes Choi’s work stand out is not only her storytelling but also her illustrations. Using soft colors and simple yet expressive drawings, she captures the emotions of her characters in a way that feels both gentle and powerful. “Peach Heaven” earned recognition as a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, while her other works, including “Behind the Mask” and “New Cat”, have also been praised for their artistry and heartfelt messages.

Beyond her books, Choi shares her love of art with children across the globe, often visiting schools, refugee shelters, and orphanages to draw and create alongside them. For her, storytelling isn’t just about publishing books; it’s about inspiring young people to embrace creativity and celebrate who they are. Through her stories and her outreach, Yangsook Choi has left a lasting cultural impact, giving readers of all ages a reminder that names, traditions, and differences are worth celebrating.

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: Who was your favorite author growing up?

Yangsook: Arthur Conan Doyle, Maurice Leblanc, and Mark Twain.

Giancarlo: Did you have any push back from friends and family on wanting to be a writer? 

Yangsook: No, because I never wanted to be a writer. I was scared of writing!  I’m an artist by nature and training. After I started my illustration career, my editor took me out to lunch one day and asked me to write a story. “Write, not just draw.” And in English! I nearly had a panic attack. I wanted to eat a gallon of ice cream right then and there to ease my anxiety. It was hard to say no to someone who picked up a bill at a nice restaurant…. Thus, not by my choice, I began my scary and sweaty writing career. To this day, I’m still not passionate about writing in general. But I’m passionate about writing for children. I’m a BIG fan of children. They make me feel normal.

Giancarlo: Which of your books are you the most proud of?

Yangsook: The Name Jar.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Yangsook: The best advice I've ever received comes from Bruce Lee: 'I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.' Though I never met him personally, when I first read this quote, it resonated deeply with me—as if he had spoken it directly to my heart.

Check out her work: https://www.yangsookchoi.com/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo