Rochester is the proud residence for world-renowned author, Linda Sue Park. Not only is she a wonderful author of children's books and novels, but also a fascinating person with an amazing website. She not only features her past and current publications, but extends advice to aspiring authors, provides fun facts about herself, and pens a blog. Also, be sure to check out her frequently asked questions page to find her address where you can send your fanmail. And if you're looking for a guest speaker for your school, bookclub, or otherwise, for a reasonable fee she will come visit.
Born in Urbana, Illinois to Korean immigrant parents, many of her works focus on that country and its history. Although she does not speak Korean herself, she has visited the country a couple of times and hopes to be able to journey there many more times in the future. Park has been writing ever since she was four years old and was first published at the age of nine when a haiku of hers went into a children's magazine. She continued to write and publish throughtout grade school and went on to receive an English degree from Stanford University. She has lived in Dublin, Ireland and London, England; married and Irishman; had two children; and taught English as a second language since graduating. Park and her family moved back to the US in 1990 where she eventually realized her desire to write books for children. In 1997, she began writing her first novel, Seesaw Girl, which was published in 1999. And she has been writing ever since.
Park has written nine multi-award winning books, some of which will be reviewed here in more detail in weeks to come. Her two most current books hit the stands last year. In October, The Chronicles of Harris Burdick, was released--a collaboration of short stories from many well-known authors, Park being one of them. Then in November, Park's latest picture book, The Third Gift, came out with illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline. This story is a Christmas spin-off on the classic Biblical tale of the three wise men, where the reader meets ordinary people selling their wares as the three kings shop for gifts for a baby. As a Newbury-medalist, Park will undoubtedly bring educational and entertaining originality to a story so well-loved.
To find any of Park's delightful tales, try Yesterday's Muse Books bookstore in Webster, Rick's Recycled Books in Rochester, or any of the local libraries. Park's work is definitely worth the time to find and devour, so good luck in your search, but you'll most likely have great ease in discovering the books of such an accomplished author. What a blessing to have Linda Sue Park living in our midst--creator of so many amazing tales to enlighten our minds, lift our spirits, and fill our hearts. Whether you've read her stories before or are hearing of her for the first time, enjoy her latest or past books and, as always, happy reading!
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