A shy girl spends a special day with her grandfather discovering the action superhero inside her in a vivid celebration of imagination and play.
Jasmine prefers to blend in with the background. She peeks while others play and hides behind her big glasses. But when her grandpa reads stories to her at night, she dreams of adventure, and a new character—Action Jasmine—comes alive in her art. Action Jasmine isn't scared, Action Jasmine is brave and saves the day. When her grandpa challenges her to join him on in adventure in the park, Jasmine is petrified (code for "super scared") that is until she remembers they can go incognito (code for "so sneaky, no one even knows who you are"). But when Jasmine spies a boy playing by himself, can she find the courage to break out of her shell, start some action, and make a new friend?
Kristen Mai Giang is a Chinese American author who emigrated from Vietnam when she was 18 months old. She grew up in San Gabriel in California, a melting pot of Asian cultures and cuisines. Her books are inspired by the Asian American culture she was surrounded by, which can be seen in her characters. When not writing, Kristen has spent the past two decades creating Emmy Award-winning kid-targeted interactive content for Disney, PBS Kids Sprout, and Mattel, among others. She is currently developing a K-5 podcast-based interactive learning platform funded by the National Science Foundation.
A. N. Kang started her career designing giftware, greeting cards, and holiday installations all over New York City. In 2016, She debuted as an author and illustrator with the picture book The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon. Since then, she has been working as a children’s book author and illustrator. Her books include My Big Bad Monster, Celebrate You! by Sherry Duskey Rinker, Squirrel’s Family Tree by Beth Ferry, and I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall.
“Giang’s narrative offers a gentle, empathetic look at the common challenge of connecting with peers. Jasmine’s internal struggle—brave in her mind, anxious in reality—is portrayed with authenticity and heart, while her relationship with Grandpa demonstrates how supportive adults can help build young people’s self-assurance. Kang’s energetic illustrations shift playfully between fantasy and reality to convey Jasmine’s nerves, excitement, and determination. A cool blue-green palette grounds the scenes, while bursts of bright orange highlight Jasmine’s courageous moments. Vocabulary boosts (incognito, undercover) are explained with humor, helping build burgeoning readers’ confidence in language. This reassuring picture book validates big feelings and celebrates the small acts of bravery required to forge new connections. Shy children, especially those with rich imaginations, will see themselves reflected—and encouraged to take one step forward. Jasmine and Grandpa present East Asian. A heartfelt reminder that courage grows through imagination, persistence, and people who believe in us.” —Kirkus
A shy girl spends a special day with her grandfather discovering the action superhero inside her in a vivid celebration of imagination and play.
Jasmine prefers to blend in with the background. She peeks while others play and hides behind her big glasses. But when her grandpa reads stories to her at night, she dreams of adventure, and a new character—Action Jasmine—comes alive in her art. Action Jasmine isn't scared, Action Jasmine is brave and saves the day. When her grandpa challenges her to join him on in adventure in the park, Jasmine is petrified (code for "super scared") that is until she remembers they can go incognito (code for "so sneaky, no one even knows who you are"). But when Jasmine spies a boy playing by himself, can she find the courage to break out of her shell, start some action, and make a new friend?
Author
Kristen Mai Giang is a Chinese American author who emigrated from Vietnam when she was 18 months old. She grew up in San Gabriel in California, a melting pot of Asian cultures and cuisines. Her books are inspired by the Asian American culture she was surrounded by, which can be seen in her characters. When not writing, Kristen has spent the past two decades creating Emmy Award-winning kid-targeted interactive content for Disney, PBS Kids Sprout, and Mattel, among others. She is currently developing a K-5 podcast-based interactive learning platform funded by the National Science Foundation.
A. N. Kang started her career designing giftware, greeting cards, and holiday installations all over New York City. In 2016, She debuted as an author and illustrator with the picture book The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon. Since then, she has been working as a children’s book author and illustrator. Her books include My Big Bad Monster, Celebrate You! by Sherry Duskey Rinker, Squirrel’s Family Tree by Beth Ferry, and I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall.
“Giang’s narrative offers a gentle, empathetic look at the common challenge of connecting with peers. Jasmine’s internal struggle—brave in her mind, anxious in reality—is portrayed with authenticity and heart, while her relationship with Grandpa demonstrates how supportive adults can help build young people’s self-assurance. Kang’s energetic illustrations shift playfully between fantasy and reality to convey Jasmine’s nerves, excitement, and determination. A cool blue-green palette grounds the scenes, while bursts of bright orange highlight Jasmine’s courageous moments. Vocabulary boosts (incognito, undercover) are explained with humor, helping build burgeoning readers’ confidence in language. This reassuring picture book validates big feelings and celebrates the small acts of bravery required to forge new connections. Shy children, especially those with rich imaginations, will see themselves reflected—and encouraged to take one step forward. Jasmine and Grandpa present East Asian. A heartfelt reminder that courage grows through imagination, persistence, and people who believe in us.” —Kirkus
