Taiwanese Mandarin words and conversation are used throughout, clear from context. Ranging from multiple vignettes per page to full spreads, they possess an almost cinematic storyboard quality while supporting the mirrored narrative symmetry that has the hot spring visit as its midpoint. Join us for this all-ages, daylong celebration of books and storytelling in all forms, including author panels, pop-up readings, writing workshops, kids’ story time, an extensive book fair, local food. Margaret Chiu Greanias’s new picture book, Amah Faraway, illustrated by Tracy Subisak, matches the reverso form with the story of a girl and her grandmother who begin worlds apart (one in the US and one in Taiwan) in a way that enriches both the story and the form.

Subisak’s watercolor, pencil, and ink illustrations lovingly show details from Taiwanese life and culture. This year’s Portland Book Festival, presented by Bank of America, returns to Portland Art Museum and neighboring venues on November 5, 2022. She enthusiastically continues to video chat with her grandmother every Saturday and is no longer scared, but excited for future visits. She delights in all of the things she found strange at first, and is sad to leave her grandmother when it’s time to return home. However, when they visit the hot springs, Kylie finally finds that embracing this comforting activity bonds her with her Amah and allows her to enjoy the rest of the stay. She spoke with me about her latest book Amah Faraway, which has many of its scenes set in Taipei, Taiwan. At first, the little girl feels nervous and unsure about the excursion, daunted by the language barrier and overwhelmed by new tastes and sights Amah wants to share with her. My picture book AMAH FARAWAY, publishing next year by Bloomsbury, began as a failed story. April fourth is Children’s Day in Taiwan, which is great timing for this interview with children’s book author Margaret Chiu Greanias. PreS-Gr 2–Kylie and her mother travel to Taipei from San Francisco to spend time with her Amah, or grandmother, with whom she video chats frequently but can’t visit because of the distance.

Amah faraway