I mentioned in my Small Joys newsletter that I’ve been reading a lot more than usual. It’s been such a welcome break from the endless doomscrolling. Over the last two years, I had forgotten the joy of reading, but now that I’m settling back into some semblance of a routine, I’ve been trying my hardest to make reading an hour a day a daily habit. It’s not always in one go—often it’s while I eat or rock my child to sleep—but I’ll take whatever time I can get.
We’re also very intentional about encouraging our daughter to get into reading. I won’t pretend she doesn’t watch TV—she does, and more than I’d care to admit. But she’s also into her books, and we try to get her a couple of new ones every month to keep her excited and engaged. While we have a small collection of classic children’s books, I’m more interested in discovering newer authors and titles.
Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Bo Lu at an event. We started chatting about our career changes after having kids, and she mentioned she had left her previous work and had just published a children’s book. I was so intrigued that we exchanged contact information to stay in touch. That same day, I went home and ordered her book. When it arrived, I stopped everything I was doing to read it. And then, I cried. I cried because it felt like someone had seen my life growing up as a child in a new country. I cried thinking about how much it would have meant to me to have a book like this when I was younger. And I cried with joy, knowing that my daughter won’t have to go through the same experiences I did, thanks to books like this.
Bao’s Doll1 is a beautiful book about a child’s journey. It explores the mother-daughter relationship, growing up wanting things you can’t have, and the feeling of not fitting in. There is so much depth to this book that even as adults, we can take something valuable away from it. On top of everything, the illustrations are nothing short of stunning (Bo is also the illustrator—clearly, she has countless talents). While the story isn’t something my daughter fully grasps, she marvels at the illustration every time and the Bao doll (that Bo, very kindly sent me after I interviewed her for this) is hands down her favorite doll of all time - she goes into a crying fit if she looses it.
While it might seem strange to suggest getting this book for yourself — even if you don’t have children — I believe that once you read it, you’ll understand why it’s a book for everyone. It explores themes of compassion, forgiveness, and human connection. I’m trying hard not to give too much of the story away because it’s truly worth reading, no matter your age. And of course, if you have children, what a wonderful gift this book would be.
In my first version of this write-up, I went deep into the reasons I loved this book, but when I re-read it, it felt too personal. And more I thought about it, the more I realized that this book can evoke something unique for each reader, so I don’t want to shape your experience with my personal story.
Here’s more from Bo about her journey, why she wrote this book, redefining success, the children’s book industry, and more. You can purchase Bao’s Doll here. If you’re in the Bay Area, you can check out her events here (she’ll be in Burlingame on September 15th and San Mateo on December 7th). I can’t wait for Bo’s next book (read more on that below!) so I can continue filling my daughter’s collection with exceptional stories.
Can you share a little bit about your background?
I grew up in Taiwan with my aunt and uncle, and immigrated to Kansas to live with my parents when I was 7. Before English words made sense to me, I lived in my drawings. Eventually, this led me to design school and I worked as a designer at tech companies for most of my career. It has provided me and my family a lovely life in the Bay Area. Though deep down, I yearned for something more meaningful, something that reflected who I am.
In 2021, my beloved aunt, who raised me, passed away. The pandemic made it impossible for me to attend her funeral in Taiwan. An overwhelming sense of loss and helplessness came over me. It was my husband who suggested that I write her a letter as a way to connect with her across distance and time. That letter turned into a story, and that story eventually led me to my agent and my editor. I felt as though it was the last time my aunt held my hands, and gave me the courage to do something that I needed to do.
Still, leaving the security of a full-time job to pursue children’s books was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I had to redefine what success, security, and abundance meant to me. This journey has been anything but linear—it's been messy, with moments of doubt and fear, often two steps forward and one step back. Yet, in this imperfect process, I’m learning to find beauty, to accept my fears, and sit down next to her everyday.
What made you want to write Bao’s Doll?
Bao’s Doll is rooted in my experience of moving from Taiwan to Kansas as a child—a time when I often felt out of place, overwhelmed by a culture and language I didn’t understand. Birthday parties in Kansas were lavish, and I longed for the presents and affection the other kids received.
One day, I saw a blonde Barbie doll with a pink boombox, which was a stark contrast to my flimsy paper dolls made from the Chinese Zodiac placemats from my parent’s Chinese restaurant. This Barbie had real hair, real clothes, and did I mention a pink boombox? I wanted her so badly that I hid her under my shirt and attempted to walk out the store. I was caught immediately and had to give her back. I felt a deep shame for doing something wrong, but also anger that I couldn’t have what other kids had.
To my surprise, my mother never scolded me. We never spoke of it again. Looking back, she probably felt ashamed too. This experience revealed a distance between me, my friends, and my mother. As much as we love the people around us, sometimes we don’t really understand each other.
When I began writing Bao’s Doll, I thought it was about the moment of stealing a Barbie. But it evolved into something deeper: a girl creating a doll that looked like her, a girl who was navigating a complicated, imperfect relationship with her mother, and ultimately, a girl who dared to hope.
My relationship with my mother has never been easy. After years of silence about that incident, I gave her the book with a note: “I hope this is the beginning of something new for us.” A few days later, she texted me: “I like your book. It’s simple, but it says it all.”
In that moment, a small window opened between us. Even if it closes again, I hope to find my way back. I hope this book reaches those who need it, so they know their truth is also mine, and that it’s okay to hope.
What do you feel makes Bao's Doll a unique story?
When I first workshopped Bao’s Doll, the part about stealing sparked strong reactions. Some people said, 'We shouldn’t teach kids how to steal,' while others insisted, 'Kids don’t steal.' I realized that as adults, we often gravitate towards what feels comfortable and safe, sometimes shying away from topics that challenge us or make us uneasy. But the truth is, children do experience complex emotions and make mistakes, and it’s important for them to explore these moments.
As both a parent and an author, I see it as my responsibility to tell the truth and help children understand their big feelings, even the uncomfortable ones. Stealing, in this story, isn’t just an act—it represents larger themes of anger and shame. My hope is that my books can serve as conversation starters for families to explore their own stories, emotions, and challenges. By making space for our mistakes and emotions, we allow kids to see themselves as whole.
What is something you wish readers knew or understood about the children’s book industry?
There’s a growing and extremely organized effort to ban books from schools and libraries right now, driven by groups with specific political or ideological agendas. They target books that talk about race, LGBTQ+ issues, gender, and other important social topics. They’re putting pressure on local school boards and lawmakers to remove these books, leading to censorship and taking away students’ access to diverse perspectives.
What’s especially alarming is how coordinated and intense these efforts are. There are full-blown campaigns aimed at limiting what kids can read, often framed as protecting them. It disproportionately impacts marginalized communities by erasing their stories.
Ways you can help:
Vote! Especially when it comes to local school board elections. Turnout can be shockingly low—sometimes as little as 10%.
Thank the educators and librarians! They’re facing a lot of negativity right now. A simple personal note to your local librarians can mean the world.
Support the organizations fighting the legal battles. Groups like PEN America and the ACLU are leading the charge, and they need all the backing they can get.
Can you share a little about any exciting launches coming up for you / Bao's Doll?
I’m now working on my next project, "Ren’s Pencil," which follows a little girl who immigrates to the U.S. Feeling adrift in a sea of unfamiliar words and faces, Ren discovers that her creativity is the key to crafting a world where she truly belongs.
Inspired by the magic of Chinese fables and the whimsical Alice in Wonderland, this story blends the two worlds. Writing it has been a wild challenge, as I felt myself reliving the emotional journey of belonging and identity all over again. But I am very excited to see where Ren’s story takes her next.
Where can consumers learn more about you/Bao's Doll?
I will be at Barnes and Nobles in Burlingame for storytime Sept 15, and the San Mateo Main library for an author event Dec 9. You can find more details on my website or IG: https://bolu.studio/events
If you like the book, and feel inclined, a great way to support your favorite authors is by leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon. Your feedback helps others discover their work and means the world to us!
A fun one: what is something unexpected someone might find in your bag? Bonus points for a “What’s in my bag” photo!
Usually trash from my children, snack wrappers, Costco receipts, etc. But I won’t bore you with that. My ideal self always has my notebook, AirPods, tumbler, and the sun hat.