ESEA Book Fairies set to hide over 250 ‘Kidlit’ books across the UK to
inspire children for East and Southeast Asian Heritage Month
From left to right - Karen Li, author of Branching Out: Delicia Ong, founder of Bamboo Bilingual: Angelina Wong, creative director, Fish Tales & Rhymes
Wednesday 7 August: Fish Tales & Rhymes, a creator of bilingual Chinese sound books and Bamboo
Bilingual, a children’s online bilingual bookshop is proud to announce the ‘ESEA Book Fairies’ project in its second year running for East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) Heritage Month this September. Children will take on the challenge of a scavenger book hunt to raise awareness for East and Southeast Asian representation in children’s and young adult literature.
This marks the fourth annual celebration of ESEA Heritage Month. The initiative was established in September 2021 for people across the UK to celebrate ESEA identities, cultures and heritage as well as the contributions made by individuals of ESEA heritage who have had a positive impact on British
culture.
To celebrate the occasion, Angelina Wong-Jardin, creator of Fish Tales & Rhymes and Delicia Ong,
bookshop owner of Bamboo Bilingual have nominated 20 Book Fairies represented across the East and Southeast Asian communities to hide over 250 children’s books in community spaces and events for young readers to find and take home as part of their endeavor to promote the values of positive
representation in children’s literature.
Angelina says: “The need for different communities to stand together is critical more than ever before. Bringing to life the ESEA Book Fairies project fosters a sense of self-esteem and confidence for the young generation in East and Southeast Asian communities. I would love to see more cultural representation in storybooks that my children can easily access and read. Getting involved in projects like ESEA Book Fairies is a wonderful way for people to actively play a part in making a difference to their communities.”
Frankie Vu, children's TV host
Yvonne Foley, historian of Eurasian families in the UK
Andrew Wong, Michelin star Chef, anthropologist, cultural observer
This year, we are thrilled to have some of Britain’s active and influential East and Southeast Asian ambassadors involved in ESEA Book Fairies. Personalities include: Michelin star Chef Andrew Wong, Children’s TV host Frankie Vu, Korean cultural ambassador Becky Lee Smith and Amy Phung, co-founder of Besea.n - a grassroots organisation that launched UK’s very first ESEA Heritage Month in 2021. Their partnership spotlights the importance of what our mission means to them but also, how they believe it can positively impact the next generation.
ESEA Book Fairies will be hiding children’s books – donated by publishers including David Fickling Books, Hachette, Scholastic, Walker Books, Balestier Press and Knights Of, and bookshops in public spaces from parks, playgrounds, gardens, retail parks to local events across the UK for children to find on their hunt. Books received, some of which are award-winning and best-sellers have been written by authors of Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Vietnamese heritage. Books will be wrapped with a ribbon and contain an official ‘Book Fairies’ sticker. During September, clues of where books are hidden will be left periodically on the Fish Tales & Rhymes and Bamboo Bilingual Instagram pages for families to find.
Delicia Ong, Bamboo Bilingual
Delicia Ong, founder of Bamboo Bilingual bookshop says: “In an increasingly polarising world, ESEA Book Fairies has only one mission: to unite communities to celebrate East and Southeast Asian heritage and cultures through children’s books. Children need books that let them feel seen and understood, but they are also an important way for children to learn about and embrace other cultures and heritages. A child should never have to feel like the Other. That’s why the ESEA Book Fairies project was born. Stories have that understated power to capture imaginations and expand our understanding. We want our next generation to be raised with love so that they may also love others. Our world may sometimes feel vast and terrifying, but it is our duty to show our children that hate has no place in it. We must always stand in solidarity and proudly support each other.”
Inspired by I Believe in Book Fairies, The ESEA Book Fairies project continues to grow every yearcreating a greater impact as more members across communities take an active interest in some of the meaningful projects they feel can help make a difference.Fish Tales & Rhymes and Bamboo Bilingual’s ESEA Book Fairies project is set to launch on Sunday 1st September. ESEA Book Fairies Charity tote bags are also now available for purchase here. All profits will be given to supporting the ESEA Book Fairies project so that we are able to continually improve and gain wider outreach across communities.
More information available on the Fish Tales website.