Tis the season to be thankful and share our bounty with others,
and in my opinion, Fried Rice Surprise is the perfect book.
We’re thrilled to have author Patricia Tanumihardja and illustrator Shiho Pate
on the blog today to celebrate their recent release with Red Comet Press.
About the Book:
To me, Fried Rice Surprise! is about how food can bring us together. In addition, this celebration of kindness, family, and friendship highlights so many important connections we are thankful for this month, and year ’round!
But don’t take my word for it…
In Fried Rice Surprise, inspired by the Japanese concept of mottainai―loosely translated as “waste not, want not”, readers follow Fern and Mom as friends join them to combine old ingredients in different ways, creating a whole new dish to share.
VERDICT This celebration of economical cooking and the magic of a communal kitchen should find a home in most library collections.”―School Library Journal
About the creators:
Patricia Tanumihardja
Pat was born in Jakarta to Chinese-Indonesian parents and grew up in Singapore, where she developed a lifelong love of food and storytelling. She is the author of several cookbooks highlighting pan-Asian flavors. Her children’s picture books include Ramen for Everyone and Fried Rice Surprise. She now lives in Northern Virginia where she continues to write and cook with equal passion.
Shiho Pate
Shiho was born and raised in Japan and worked for over a decade in the indie gaming industry in New York before turning to children’s books. She is known for her playful style using using gouache, watercolor, and digital media. Now based in Southern California, she has illustrated numerous picture books that sparkle with warmth, humor, and cultural richness, including Fried Rice Surprise and the beginning reader series The Rescues, also from Red Comet Press.
Let’s ask some questions!
Inspiration
Q 1. I am thrilled to feature Fried Rice Surprise this month, as it feels like a wonderful tie-in
to the underpinnings of Thanksgiving. Patricia, what inspired you to write this companion
book to Ramen for Everyone?
Pat: Since Ramen for Everyone featured a son and his father in the kitchen, I thought it only natural to write a story that showcased a daughter and mother cooking together.
I also wanted to write about fried rice or nasi goreng as it’s called in Indonesian. This dish was a staple when I was growing up and many people are familiar with it even here in the U.S. so I thought it was a great segue to tell a universal and relatable story.
Illustration Surprises
Q 2. What surprises did illustrator, Shiho Pate, bring to the projects?
Pat: I love love love Shiho’s illustrations! I knew she would do a fantastic job but she still managed to surprise me with how amazing everything turned out. The scenes are so full of movement and her ode to “Sailor Moon” spread is such a delight!
Illustration Process
Q 3. Shiho: How do you approach a project like Fried Rice Surprise? Which comes first—
the text, the title, or the research? Was the process different from Ramen for Everyone?
Shiho: I always start by reading and understanding the manuscript. It might be an obvious step. But I try not to rush into sketching because I want to make sure I get the story. I want to feel the flow and beats. I want to imagine the story in different ways.
If I start sketching, I start to feel too locked down. Since I illustrated Pat’s story before, I got a very similar energetic flow again. And that was fun. The fun challenge was to figure out how to make the book its own thing and not let it feel like the same book.
Favorites
Q 4. Shiho: Which lines of text are your favorite, or were the most fun to illustrate?
Shiho: There’s one spread where the characters are super exaggerated. That was so fun and I’m glad my art director Mike pushed me to do that.
My other favorite is the spread where the main character Fern gets ready to cook. I think this was the first spread I illustrated.
by Shiho Pate from Fried Rice Surprise by Patricia Tanumihardja
(Red Comet Press)
Hiro in Ramen for Everyone had a superhero like transformation scene, so I had to give Fern a fun one too. I chose the magical girl (think Sailor Moon) type of look. I love how sparkly and colorful it turned out.
Mottainai
Q 5. I love the Japanese concept of mottainai―loosely translated as “waste not, want not.” How
might it apply to writing or illustrating a picture book, or to your Kidlit journey?
Pat: I never delete anything! I still have my manuscripts from when I first started writing for children more than 20 years ago. I save all my ideas–on scraps of paper, on my phone, in Word documents, etc. You never know what nuggets I might glean from them that would start or enhance a new project.
Shiho: This is an interesting question! Hmm how does it apply to my illustrations… I was definitely raised with the “mottainai” idea by my mother. So, I still use art supplies I got in art college like rulers, x-acto knife blade holder and even inks (which I should retire soon… but the colors are still vibrant!).
Aside from that, I think that “mottainai” way of thinking is the base when I’m sketching. Not only do I keep all of my sketchbooks, I have folders full of magazine cutouts, store postcards, old photos etc. And I collect my inspirations so I can output them to children’s books.
Tips for your Pre-Published self–
Q 6. What tips would you give pre-published you that you wish you’d known then?
Pat: Be scrappy! Listen to everything but know that you don’t always have to follow what everyone else does!
What’s Next?
Q 7. What new projects are you working on now?
Pat: I have another picture book launching on November 10th, “Kind Little Bao” illustrated by Camey Yeh and published by Abrams.
I have several other manuscripts, including a chapter book, on sub and I’m trying to write a middle grade novel–wish me luck!
I’m also working on a few projects that are more closely aligned with my Indonesian heritage. There are so few books featuring Indonesian protaganists and/or culture in the U.S. market and I want to change that. And I really want to write a children’s cookbook!
Shiho: I am going to be a traditionally published author-illustrator! It took 10+ years but It’s happening! Wanbo (published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux) is the title of my debut author-illustrator picture book. I can’t wait to share it with the world.
Q 8. In this month of Thanksgiving, if we were all sitting around the same table (Wouldn’t that be Cool!?) what might you say if I asked you to share what you’re thankful for? Any thanksgiving wishes you’d like to share?
Shiho: My answer is kind of typical but it’s genuine and true, especially now. I am thankful for books and book creators! When I was a kid I dove into the magical world of books. I got to escape and wander to worlds I couldn’t have discovered in the real world. I never grew out of exploring. So thank you for telling your stories.
Pat: This past year has been challenging for many of us on so many different levels. I am so very thankful that I have an amazing support network–family, friends, coworkers–both near and far. It’s so uplifting to know someone always has my back! If not for them, I’d be a hot mess, or more of a hot mess 🙂!
During this Thanksgiving, I wish everyone joy and peace, and lots of pumpkin pie (or whatever your favorite fall dish is!!).
We are thankful to you both for joining us today on the blog!
To learn more about Patricia Tanumihardja & Shiho Pate,
Check out their web sites:
And follow them on social media:
FB: Patricia Tanumihardja, Author
Instagram: ediblewords shihopate
BlueSky: Shiho Pate ペイトしほ Illustration
Next up on the blog:
Christmas Ahoy! (Illus. Kayla Stark/ Sleeping Bear)
and other holiday favorites!
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