Kristen Mai Giang – Kids Book Author
Kristen Mai Giang is a Chinese Vietnamese American author of award-winning AAPI picture books for children. Born in Vietnam, ethnically Chinese, and raised in the United States, her work reflects themes of immigration, family, perseverance, and community action with playful, engaging language and imagery. Her books have received honors from Junior Library Guild, CALA, NCSS–CBC, and Bank Street Books.
When not writing, Kristen has spent the past two decades creating Emmy Award-winning kid-targeted interactive content for Disney, PBS Kids Sprout, and Mattel, among others. She currently produces interactive content for kids and family podcast company Tinkercast, including its K-5 podcast-based interactive learning platform TinkerClass funded by the National Science Foundation.
NEW! action jasmine
Action Jasmine encourages empathy and inclusion when children see someone else choosing kindness and connection. It’s perfect for classrooms, libraries, and families exploring SEL topics like making friends, facing fear, and building confidence.
Debut Picture Book
Kristen’s debut picture book draws from her memories growing up with too many siblings and cousins to count – as well as the antics of her own children and their cousins.
She writes fiction and non-fiction picture books (for kids 2- to 8-years-old), although she plans to write additional genres in the future.
The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan
Her picture book biography, The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan, was inspired by her childhood in San Gabriel when she would watch Hong Kong movies in the Chinese theater with her family.
Last Flight
Last Flight is her most personal picture book, which tells the story of her family’s escape from Saigon six days before its fall in 1975 on the last commercial flight out.