The Backstory is thrilled to welcome back author Stephanie Wildman, this time with coauthor, Adam R. Chang to share all about their latest book, MIRI'S MOVING DAY (Kar-Ben Publishing) with illustrations by Dream Chen. Keep reading to learn all about this sweet intergenerational story that tackles the uncertainty that comes with moving.
And be sure to comment on this post for your chance to win a copy of this beautiful story!
AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind MIRI’S MOVING DAY (illustrated by Dream Chen).
First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.
Miri, Mom and Dad, all lived with Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah, Miri’s grandparents. Miri will miss the stone lions in front of her apartment building. What will happen to her now that it's moving day? Fortunately Zayde, her Jewish grandfather, and Yeh Yeh, her Chinese grandfather, have some surprises to help her feel at home in her new apartment. "There are no stone lions to guard your new apartment building, but you can hang this mezuzah at your door," says Yeh Yeh, presenting her with a beautiful mezuzah. And Zayde also has a gift for Miri, but it’s a surprise!
AH: This sounds absolutely wonderful! I love the family dynamic portrayed and the way in which you explore Miri's worries that accompany her move.
AH: What’s the story behind the story? What was your inspiration? Where did the idea come from?
Stephanie: My grandson had asked a question one night at dinner: “Can I be Chinese and Jewish?” “Yes,” his father had answered, “because you are.” I realized that children from multicultural, multiracial families needed to see more of themselves reflected in books. And while I love dragons and unicorns, they are well-represented.
Adam: Stephanie and I share a passion for portraying multicultural, multiracial families, because that is our families. Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah in the story are inspired by my own grandparents. Like Miri, my grandparents were my primary caregivers as my parents were both first generation and low-income immigrants who needed to work long hours to support their families. My daughter is Guatemalan, Mexican, and Puerto Rican. While not ethnically Chinese, she is raised by two dads who are, and so I wanted Miri to be someone she could still relate to.
AH: I love this inspiration and the way both of you drew on your own backgrounds to create this story that will help so many children feel represented.
How did you approach going from this seed of an idea to what is now MIRI’S MOVING DAY? Was it something undeniable you had to write immediately or did you need to sit with this idea and let it grow for a while before it found its way to the page?
“What are the stories only YOU can write?” We took this question to heart when considering characters for picture books and the challenges they would have to face. It’s also worth noting that our writing journey for children’s books began in January 2020 (although we had worked and written together previously) and that the pandemic helped foster a working relationship where we could meet via Zoom about twice a month and write collaboratively via Google Docs. Miri definitely grew over time both as a story and even as a character. We’ve even written a story about Miri as a grown up, and her next moving day as she leaves for college. You can read it Here.
AH: Thank you for sharing a bit about how your collaborative process worked. And I love how you both have imagined Miri beyond the timeframe and pages of this book and into her future.
AH :Did MIRI’S MOVING DAY undergo any major changes/revisions from the original version? If so, what led you to make these changes?
Miri underwent a number of changes in the editing process. Our original story portrayed additional Chinese and Jewish customs. I think our wonderful publisher Kar-Ben wanted to streamline the story and focus on the guardian lion and mezuzah elements. Less can be more.
AH: Great point! Sometimes focusing on fewer elements lets the reader have a greater appreciation and understanding of them.
AH: Are there any books/authors that you feel influenced your work on MIRI’S MOVING DAY?
Stephanie - Moving Molly by Shirley Hughes was a book my children loved. And moving is right up there with death on a list of stressors in our life. So moving seemed like a good dramatic situation to begin the story. In that sense Miri’s story grew out of the setting in a moving day, looking at her life before and the potential for her life after.
Adam : I was raised in San Francisco in the 80s and 90s, and the media presented this American childhood routine of getting tucked into bed with a bedtime story. This was not my reality, and honestly, was more of a fantasy because I didn’t grow up this way. My grandparents told me stories when I was a kid, but they didn’t come from picture books; they were stories of their lives in the villages they grew up in, and the farm they worked on. Grandparents in general were a large influence in writing this story.
AH: Where do you tend to find your inspiration or your sparks for ideas?
We are around children quite a bit.
Adam has ten younger siblings and has raised most of them (diapers, meals, bedtime, school pick-ups, etc.). He also became a foster parent almost ten years ago, and began training new foster parents four years ago. His daughter is now nine, and was his very first placement, when she was just six months old. Adam is motivated to write stories that model ideal behaviors for children and their caregivers.
Stephanie is very involved with her grandchildren. And of course their friends. Listening to their questions and interests generates our story ideas.
AH: You both have a deep well of inspiration to draw from and kids need these books, so keep them coming!
Do you have any upcoming projects or news you would like to share with us?
Stephanie: Adam and I continue to write together about children who are Chinese and Jewish, as well as children who might face marginalization for other reasons.
Also, I’m excited about my next book, under contract — the fourth in the Flor, Roberto, Luis series, illustrated by Estefania Razo from Lawley Publishing. It’s called Story Power! and my co-author is my grandson Simon Wildman Chung. He’s the co-author because the story was his idea. He liked these characters, so he wanted to create a new story for them.
AH: He must be thrilled! I can't wait to read this next story.
Adam: I’m currently working on a fiction novel for adults about the Asian American experience, including coming of age and generational trauma. I’m also working on other picture books that address family dynamics within a modern approach to folklore and mythology.
AH: These new projects sound fascinating, Adam! Best of luck as you finish them up and they find there way out into the world.
And note: We produced an educator guide for Miri’s Moving Day which includes discussion questions that parents might also find of interest. The guide also includes a Word Search grid (with answer key). Find it here.
AH: Where can people connect more with you?
Stephanie:
Website: www.stephaniewildman.com
Twitter/X: @SWildmanSF (for now)
Instagram: stephanie_wildmansf
Bluesky: @swildmansf.bsky.social
Adam:
Website: www.adamryanchang.com
Twitter/X: @adamryanchang
Instagram: adamryanchang
AH: Readers be sure to connect with Stephanie and Adam on social media and at their websites so you don't miss any of their exciting publishing news. And while you are at it
please consider supporting their book, MIRI'S MOVING DAY in any way you
can.
This could include:
- ordering from your favorite indie
- marking as want to read on Goodreads
-leaving a review
- making a library request
Stephanie and Adam, thank you so much for sharing all about MIRI'S MOVING DAY. I loved learning how this book came to be!
GIVEAWAY!
Adam and Stephanie are happy to give away a copy of MIRI'S MOVING DAY to one lucky winner. (US only).
Ways to enter:
1. Retweet my tweet about this blog post. Additional entry for tagging friends!
or
2. Leave a comment on this post.
or
3. Post about this interview on social media and tell me in the comments that you did.
Each method earns an extra entry!
ABOUT STEPHANIE WILDMAN
Stephanie Wildman is the author of five children’s books, including GHOST WRITER (co-authored with Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave and illustrated by Estefanía Razo; available in Spanish as ESCRITOR FANTASMA), the latest in the Flor, Roberto, and Luis series. She became a Professor Emerita after
serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law. She is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, good listener, who can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga
practice. Learn more at stephaniewildman.com.
ABOUT ADAM RYAN CHANG
Adam Ryan Chang infuses his experience as a
queer Asian American into his writings. A
Rooted and Written Fellow (class of 2020, The Writers Grotto- for emerging writers of color), a #QueerKidlit 2022 mentee, and a member of SCBWI, Adam currently serves as the Executive Director of Oasis Legal Services, a California nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. He has been a foster parent since 2015 and is the proud adoptive parent of a Latine daughter. Learn more at adamryanchang.com.
ABOUT ANDREW HACKET
Andrew Hacket is a writer, second-grade teacher, and father of three. He is also the author of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea, Curlilocks and the Three Hares, and Hope and the Sea. Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard and he writes to create ways for kids to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations.
Oh my goodness- this is so awesome! What a fantastic interview. It’s funny, I have Stephanie featured on my blog this month too (actually, it goes out Wednesday). She was so great to work with. Thanks so much for this article, Andrew. Love seeing all the shared encouragement!
Congrats and thank you Stephanie and Adam for sharing a story that reflects many childrens lives.
Thank you, Stephanie and Adam, for sharing your story!
Great post ! Looking forward to reading this book! :)