Bo Lu

I grew up in Taiwan with my aunty, uncle, and two cousins. When I was seven, my parents immigrated my brother and me to Kansas. A new country. A new language. A new family. Ren’s Pencil is about a girl who also moves from the East to the West. She loses her words, but finds her voice again through her magic pencil. And slowly, finds herself in her own stories. This book is for every kid caught between worlds. For anyone who’s ever struggled to fit in, make friends, or feel seen. I hope Ren’s Pencil reminds you that your story is worth telling. With so much gratitude to my art director @melissanelsongreenberg , my editor @brdnjamforemma , the team at @abramskids and all my book friends who helped shape this story into what it is. 🌟 It’s my first time sharing the cover! Preorders are open now, wherever you get your books. ✨ From July 8–11, Ren’s Pencil is also 25% off @barnesandnoble Thank you for reading, supporting, and celebrating with me ❤️

Mother’s day has always felt a little uneasy for me. Growing up, I found stories portraying warm and nurturing mother-daughter relationships as very distant from my own. I have always had a hard time connecting with my mother, and she probably feels the same way about me. Writing picture books has somehow become a way for me to make sense of and maybe even make peace with this hard to understand relationship. Bao’s Doll is about a Taiwanese-American girl who wanted a doll, one that all of her friends have; one her mother does not approve of. Bao felt that she did not understand mama, and mama did not understand her. It is a story about intergenerational relationships that often carry a weight of complexity and tension. It is also a story of empathy, forgiveness, and ultimately, hope. Recently, I finally mustered up the courage to give my mother the book before she left for Taiwan, along with a note that said, “I hope this is the beginning of something new for us.” A couple of days later, to my surprise, she texted me, “I like your book. It’s simple, but says it all”. In that moment, a small window opened, allowing us to see each other. Even if that window closes, Hopefully I’ll find my way there again. I hope this book finds its way to those who might need it, so that they may know their truth is also my truth. And that it’s okay to hope ❤️

I am beyond honored (and still in disbelief 😱) that Bao’s Doll has received a 2025 Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor! This award feels like a hug for little me—the girl who felt out of place, who wasn’t sure if she had a voice, who sometimes made herself small to fit in. Hey babygirl, you belong! Your stories matter! And yet, the familiar discomfort creeps in, whispering: Did you really earn this? Maybe it’s imposter syndrome, conditioning, or the fear that letting something good in also means making space for loss. But I’m trying something different this time—I’m choosing to be proud. And my goodness, I am so, so proud of that little girl who has shown me how to be brave again and again, even when she didn’t know she was. I’m deeply grateful—to the legacy of Ezra Jack Keats and the storytellers who celebrate diverse experiences, giving kids a place to see themselves, to belong, even when it doesn’t always feel that way. To my dear friends and family who remind me to feel it all. Congratulations to all the incredible award winners—I’m honored to celebrate alongside you at the Kaigler Children’s Book Festival! 💛✨ With all my heart, thank you to the committee @ejkfoundation @usmdegrum @abramskids @abramsbooks @brdnjamforemma Steve Malk #TheSnowyDay #EJKAward #EzraJackKeats

Ren’s Pencil came out this week💙 Looking back at the process, I can see how lost I really was. I spent a lot of time wandering from tree to tree, mountain to mountain, trying to find one single image that could hold everything—the East, the West, and everything I wanted to say. Mostly, it just felt like aimless wandering. It took my critique partners gently reminding me: whatever I make will already be a blend of everything I am. And that’s when it clicked, maybe the point wasn’t to find the right tree. Maybe the point was to let myself be lost long enough to trust that I’d find my way through the forest. Especially because I don’t walk it alone. Thank you to the people who see the whole forest when I can only see a single tree. @rachmakesbooks @sakitales3 @nicwongf @catia_chien @brdnjamforemma @melissanelsongreenberg @tobiastoft 💙 Hope to see some of you at the events, where I will be giving away some of these mountains. 2/8/26 @mrsdalloways with @moonbow.books 4p 2/21/26 @onwaverly @2p 4/12/26 @lindentreereads Workshop 4p

Come hang on Sunday, Feb 8 at 4pm at @mrsdalloways I’ll be chatting with @taylorsterling from @moonbow.books about Ren’s Pencil, our love for picture books, and bright phone cases 🦜

A flurry of thanks to reviewers of Ren’s Pencil, especially to my most honest critic, my children. Deep gratitude to @abramskids @brdnjamforemma @melissanelsongreenberg 🙏 Ren’s Pencil is out on Feb 3 | pre-order links in bio ✏️

As the days stretch long and the dark insists on staying a while, I find myself searching for magic again. Maybe you could use a bit of magic too? A spark that helps you picture what’s next when next feels blurry, or even a little scary. When you pre-order Ren’s Pencil from one of my favorite indie bookstores below, you can also have this little magic wand in your pocket🪄 And if you’d like to celebrate together, we can cast spells side by side. Feb 8th | 4:00 PM @mrsdalloways Feb 21st | 2:00 PM @onwaverly The mood is right The spirit’s up We’re here tonight And that’s enough 💙 Thank you to the most coveted wand technician of all @tobiastoft The wand/pencil is a handmade keepsake for drawing and imagining. Best for older kids (6+), with grown-up guidance ✨

Proud to be a member of the 💖Pink Pony Club💖 Inspired by @chappellroan and @rottingdeanbazaar Made with @tobiastoft chief pony engineer, and chief pink officer @lemontoft

Highlights lately... 🏫 Hanging with the amazing people at @jplowerschool who made my author visit so special! Thank you @tonjareadstoo and Tayla! 📚 Seeing old friends, new faces @msbookfestival Thank you to the go-cart driver who took us on a desperate food run. ✏️ Sharing Ren’s Pencil with Nora at @fairylandca who drew a beautiful page in “our” book! 🐕 Found my doggy painting in Jackson, Mississippi 🎙️ Nora and I hanging out on the newest Tree House Together episode with the amazing Kara and T! @elmplace_co

Being at Milkwood felt like stepping inside one of @sophieblackall stories, beautiful, warm, and deeply moving. @dougsalati and @cecifonik workshop was so creatively rejuvenating, and I know so many of us left feeling inspired and renewed as we became part of a flock finding its way. Thank you for the nourishment, inspiration, and connection, @milkwoodny

Bao’s Doll has been named a Bank Street Best Book of the Year✨ This list is curated by educators and experts who deeply care about children’s literature, so it means the world that this story is resonating in classrooms and libraries 🥹 Thank you @bankstreetlibrary for this honor 💛 Congratulations to all 🫶

I cried so many times receiving the @ejkfoundation illustration honor. At a time when DEI initiatives are being dismantled and diverse, queer books are being banned, gathering in a room to celebrate inclusive stories and their creators felt like soul medicine. It reminded me that to keep going and creating the books that reflect the world authentically, like Ezra once did. This is my own quiet form of resistance. To reach the kids who need to hear they belong—just like I once did. Thank you to the committee, @ejkfoundation , @usmdegrum for creating this moment of light and hope for us! And to @tobiastoft , for holding down the fort so our girls could share this moment with me. Notable moments: @uyenloseordra standing ovation from her speech. Touching ezra jack keats originals. Being puked on by my 4 year old at the welcome dinner. Mama Fang. Improptu photoshoot by the parking lot with Breanna. Raising eyebrows with my fellow award winners: @bremacbooks  @beinginthemaking  @shawtylos  @antwan.eady @xfang_studio Thank you for touching my heart with your work and your words!