Shown below is the team of people who help make this website and bilingual book possible. Without their support, guidance, and sometimes tough love, these projects would never see the light of day.
TY (she/her), creator of Heiyu Studios
I love Blue Bell ice cream, coffee, and milk tea, but when I’m not distracted by those things, you can often discover me lurking at used bookstores trying to find first edition first print books by my favorite authors. I’ve always had a love and appreciation for amazing art and storytelling (thank you Bill Watterson and James Gurney, creators of Calvin and Hobbes and Dinotopia), and I’ve harbored dreams of authorship and animation. Fast-forward twenty years, I’m now the mother of an amazing child, and my goals have evolved into creating fun children’s comics/books to foster a love for language learning.
E (he/him), partner
E has been the cheerleader, IT guru, beta test reader, editor, emotional support blanket, and let’s face it, the punching bag at times, for me ever since we met through mutual friends many years ago. His slow methodical ways have often tested my patience, but I appreciate his different perspectives and support (most of the time). He was the person who pushed me to step out of my comfort zone to try out webcomics and bilingual books. Finally, he’s my partner in crime in making sure that our child is properly embarrassed raised.
BB (she/her), my baby
Bao Bei (BB) is my nickname for my daughter. In Mandarin Chinese, it means “baby,” “darling,” or “treasure,” and is often used as an affectionate term for children, partners, or pets. She’s the inspiration behind the bilingual book and a big reason why this website got launched. As you can tell by the paintbrush, she’s an avid artist in her own right, and I keep having to fend her off from stealing my art tools. But gosh darn it, sometimes it’s just too hard to say no to her cutie face (doom!)
RedCat (she/her), also known as Kat Klockow
I’m super lucky to have Kat as my mentor and friend. She’s the creator of graphic novels (Dinosaur Necromancer, Hex Me Again, Witches and Sorcerers), author of two haunted history books (Haunted Hoosier Halls: Indiana University and Ohio’s Haunted Crimes) and runs a publishing company called Corpse Flower Press. Needless to say, her help making sure I keep on track (thank you accountability buddy) and insight into the comic/book publishing world is invaluable! Check out this super talented person at www.katklockow.com
Beta Testers
Without my team of native Chinese family and friends (thank you in-laws, mom, and friends), my bilingual book would have failed even before it began. As a non-native speaker, I needed a lot of help making sure that the meaning and rhythm came through. In addition, I get a lot of inspiration, support, and ideas from my non-Chinese friends, who I shamelessly ask for feedback when I talk to them. Thanks for being such awesome people!
Victoria & Chase
A big thank-you to our friends Victoria and Chase for providing the inspiration for my first zine about Uncle Tree. They added decorative eyes, a nose, and a mouth to a tree in their yard, and it blended in so well that you’d do a double take when you finally noticed there was a face staring at you! I felt like it could have come from the world of Spirited Away.
Victoria and Chase run an event planning business in the LA area specializing in themed children’s sleepover parties. Check them out and support them at www.theldcinfo.com!