Cherry Mo

I am *so* excited to announce my next book, THE MONSTER INSIDE, coming spring 2028! It’s a deeply personal story that I did not expect to share with the world one day. A story about understanding oneself and learning to accept this “monster” inside. I hope this book opens up conversations for big feelings and fears that are hard to put into words. As always, my most heartfelt thanks to my amazing agent @emily_van_beek and the extraordinary team from @penguinworkshop — my editor @elizabeth.flee and art director @mclairecruz — for offering so much trust and support in the process of writing and illustrating this book. I cannot imagine this story being in anyone else’s hands! This story also wouldn’t be possible without @vickilla , my inspiration and my best big sis. 💛 Stay tuned! 😉 #bookdeal #picturebook #themonsterinside

It still feels so surreal to hold this Caldecott Honor in my hands! Endless thank you’s to my absolutely incredible dream team 💕 — agent @emily_van_beek , editor @elizabeth.flee , art director @mclairecruz and @penguinworkshop , and the hardworking Caldecott committee for making all of this possible. What an amazing ride it’s been! Thank you all for your love and support throughout this journey. It really means the world. 🙌❤️ Photos from @americanlibraryassociation 📸 #alaac25 #caldecott #caldecotthonor #homeinalunchbox

Wow… just wow 🤯 It’s still sinking in… HOME IN A LUNCHBOX won the Caldecott Honor!!! I am overflowing with gratitude for the amazing team behind this book!! Get ready for a novel of a caption! 💕 To my editor @elizabeth.flee — Thank you for being the incredible editor, cheerleader, and human being that you are! I’ve always been blown away by how thoughtfully you approach every step of bringing this book to publication. This journey has been beyond my wildest dreams, and this would not have happened without your invaluable guidance and support!! To my art director @mclairecruz — I couldn’t believe how perfectly in-sync your artistic vision was with mine. The way you guided me along the process in bringing the emotions to life was spot-on! Thank you for *all* the time and attention you’ve put into making this book the best it can be!! To my publicist @jordanakulak — Thank you for delivering this book to the hands of our bright, young readers! It’s been incredibly rewarding to receive the buzz that the book’s gotten, and I’m so grateful for ALL the effort you’ve put in behind the scenes!! To the @penguinworkshop team, thank you for all of your effort and support in bringing this book to the world!! I never could have imagined having such a perfect team behind this book!! I hope I’ve made you all proud! 😉🎉 Last but not AT ALL least, my deepest gratitude to my absolute *powerhouse* of an agent @emily_van_beek . Thank you for believing in me from the very beginning and holding my hand through this process. I was at a low point before meeting you, and you’ve given me this unbelievable opportunity to step foot onto this amazing journey to publication, and now to this Caldecott Honor! To my family and friends, thank you for cheering me on throughout this journey, for all of your kind words and support. I’ve been showered with love today and am overflowing with sappiness and gratitude 😆 I’ll get to your messages very soon! Thank you so much once again, from the bottom of my heart!! 🥹🥰❤️ #caldecott #caldecotthonor #2025caldecott #homeinalunchbox

🚨 SUMMER BOOK BOX GIVEAWAY is now OPEN and we are giving away TWO boxes this time! ☀️📚 To celebrate summer reading and all the stories that make the long days feel magical, we are giving away 2 Summer Book Boxes curated with love for little hands and growing hearts ☀️📖🎁 TWO lucky families will each receive: ☀️ “Chopsticks Are” by @chloeitoward , illustrated by @lynndoodle (signed by the author) 🍱 “Home in a Lunchbox” by @hellocherrymo (signed by the author) 🥢 3 different sets of chopsticks so your little ones can practice all summer long 🎮 @learningresources Noodle Knockout Fine Motor Game for endless laughs and little hands getting stronger 📚 PLUS one extra children’s book of your choice from any book previously featured on @vyhomelibrary ✨ We loved putting this box together because everything inside connects. You read about chopsticks. You practice with real ones. You play a noodle game that makes the whole family giggle. And then you open a lunchbox full of love and remember that food is always about so much more than eating. 💛 How to enter: 1️⃣ Follow @vyhomelibrary 2️⃣ Like this post 3️⃣ Tag a friend who loves books (each tag = 1 entry!) ✨ Bonus: Share to your stories and tag me for an extra entry! ⏰ Giveaway closes on June 30 @ 12PM PST 🎉 Two winners will be announced in stories Let’s make this the most story-filled summer yet ☀️📚🥢✨ #SummerGiveaway #BookGiveaway #Summer

So. Much. Fun!!! Absolutely loved visiting @mtbetheles !! Thank you @mtbethelpta for having me. ❤️

What a cake, and what a visit! 🎂🥰 Thank you @aspiraacademy for having me. It was so wonderful meeting your bright students! ✨ #authorschoolvisit #homeinalunchbox

Look at that wall of lunchbox art!! 🍱 Isn’t it just amazing? (Done by the talented students of the lovely @charishkimberly !) Thank you to the city of Seneca for such a memorable and wonderful visit! I’m grateful to have found my family in Seneca. A heartfelt thank you for your hospitality, thoughtfulness, and kindness 💛 I hope to see you all again soon!

It’s Wednesday Wee Reads! We are highlighting Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo! This 2025 Caldecott Honor book is about a little girl, new to America, finding comfort in her school lunchbox. This beautifully illustrated book shows that food can be a bridge to other cultures, that can lead to new friendships. ❤️🍱🌮🍔🍝🧆❤️ * @hellocherrymo @penguinrandomhouse * #fvrl #wednesdayweereads #vancouverwashington #picturebooks #food

Join us for a webinar with Caldecott-Honor-winning author-illustrator, Cherry Mo! @hellocherrymo Monday Sep 29, 2025 6pm - 7:15pm (EDT) Standard price: $ 25 Price with membership: $ 15 This webinar will be recorded. In this webinar, Cherry will share her process from idea to finished book. For writers and illustrators, this interview-style webinar will give you a behind-the-scenes look at her path to publishing, her creative process, and her illustration workflow. We are so excited to have Cherry Mo joing us to talk about her incredible debut picture book, her process, and her path to publishing. Register here or link in bio @scbwieasternny : /events/cherry-mo-webinar/register-info #amwri̇ti̇ng #webinar #scbwi @scbwieasternny #caldecotthonor #picturebookillustration #picturebookbuzz #kidlitart

Thank you to @scbwi_sobreeze for an inspiring critique group with such wonderful and talented illustrators / author-illustrators!! Big thanks to @myprettylines @violettobacco @stephcalvertart for putting this event together and for having me! I’ve received so much from @scbwi on my publishing journey, and I’m grateful to be able to give back in some way. 💛

🍱 Book Review: Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo @hellocherrymo 🏫✨ This beautiful Caldecott Honor Book 📚💫 is the perfect reminder that as we start the school year, it’s often the small things that make the biggest difference for our students. 💖 When school can feel foreign or overwhelming, something as simple as a familiar lunch, a favorite pencil, or a comforting routine can be a lifeline to home. 🏠 Inspired by Cherry Mo’s own first days of school in America 🇺🇸, Home in a Lunchbox captures the emotions of finding belonging while holding onto what’s familiar. As educators, let’s ask ourselves, and our students, 💭 What did you bring with you today that reminds you of home? Or… What could make our classroom feel more like home for you? A gentle, heartfelt read that opens the door to empathy, understanding, and meaningful classroom conversations. 🌏❤️ Make sure to check out the aligned activities on the website! Link in bio! #BackToSchool #CaldecottHonor #HomeInALunchbox #CherryMo #DiverseBooks #ReadAloud #Belonging #ElementaryEducation #TeachersOfInstagram #FutureEducators #inclusiveclassrooms

This is how you know a book is good…when a student gets it for a summer birthday gift. 💗🎂🎂📚📚😊So lucky to finally get to meet the amazing @hellocherrymo at #ala25 in Philly in June! 🍒🍒💗😊