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Sparkles for Sunny

A Lunar New Year Story

Author Sylvia Chen On Tour
Illustrated by Thai My Phuong
Ebook
Penguin Young Readers | Flamingo Books
On sale Dec 02, 2025 | 32 Pages | 9780593694633
Preschool - 3
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Lunar New Year is coming up, and Sunny is stuck wearing hand-me-downs to the party AGAIN.

The Lao family has four rules:
1. Make what you can yourself.
2. Get good deals.
3. Share extras with others.
4. Never waste anything.

...which means that every year for Lunar New Year, Sunny winds up wearing a hand-me-down qípáo from her sisters. Just once Sunny wants to wear something that's so her and not so one of her sisters! Can Sunny uphold the Lao Family Way while also staying true to herself? Take a peek at this sweet and funny sister tale to find out!

From author Sylvia Chen comes a heart-warming tale about Sunny, a creative and boisterous little girl desperate to make her mark. With gorgeous illustrations from Thai My Phuong, Sparkles for Sunny is sure to delight readers everywhere.

Perfect for fans of Fancy Nancy and I Am Golden!
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Sylvia Chen has also lived and worked in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Paris, and Tokyo. She is an Asian American children’s book author (Tricky Chopsticks, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2024) and is the creator of #PBStudyBuddy, which features amazing picture books on social media for fellow creators, teachers, and librarians. Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. She often squirrels away shiny supplies and scraps to fashion one-of-a-kind creations like glittery jumbo chopsticks and DIY costumes for her kids. To connect with Sylvia, visit her at SylviaiChen.com or follow her @SylviaiChen.

Thai Phuong (aka Tamypu, she/her) is a Vietnamese illustrator who loves phở, boba milk tea, and homemade coffee from her husband! She graduated with a BFA in interior design. Since then, she has cultivated a deep passion for visual storytelling and teaching for international publishers, magazines, brands, and universities. Originally from Ho Chi Minh City, she is living and working in Los Angeles, California, with her cat, Cinderella. Visit her at thaiphuong.net.
Sylvia Chen View titles by Sylvia Chen
Thai My Phuong View titles by Thai My Phuong
"Any young reader with older siblings will relate to Sunny’s struggle with her hand-me-down dress, and her creative solution demonstrates how individual expression can be compatible with family expectations and traditions . . . A charming story about honoring traditions while staying true to oneself."--Kirkus Reviews

"Tired of being mixed up with her sisters and longing to distinguish herself, Sunny finds a way to channel both her creativity and the Lao Family Way to craft accessories for herself and her sibs. Softly textured artwork incorporates diaphanous clouds of gold, green, and magenta that emulate Sunny’s desire to look 'super shiny and special' in this book about finding a path toward being 'both alike and different.'"--Publishers Weekly

About

Lunar New Year is coming up, and Sunny is stuck wearing hand-me-downs to the party AGAIN.

The Lao family has four rules:
1. Make what you can yourself.
2. Get good deals.
3. Share extras with others.
4. Never waste anything.

...which means that every year for Lunar New Year, Sunny winds up wearing a hand-me-down qípáo from her sisters. Just once Sunny wants to wear something that's so her and not so one of her sisters! Can Sunny uphold the Lao Family Way while also staying true to herself? Take a peek at this sweet and funny sister tale to find out!

From author Sylvia Chen comes a heart-warming tale about Sunny, a creative and boisterous little girl desperate to make her mark. With gorgeous illustrations from Thai My Phuong, Sparkles for Sunny is sure to delight readers everywhere.

Perfect for fans of Fancy Nancy and I Am Golden!

Author

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Sylvia Chen has also lived and worked in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Paris, and Tokyo. She is an Asian American children’s book author (Tricky Chopsticks, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2024) and is the creator of #PBStudyBuddy, which features amazing picture books on social media for fellow creators, teachers, and librarians. Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. She often squirrels away shiny supplies and scraps to fashion one-of-a-kind creations like glittery jumbo chopsticks and DIY costumes for her kids. To connect with Sylvia, visit her at SylviaiChen.com or follow her @SylviaiChen.

Thai Phuong (aka Tamypu, she/her) is a Vietnamese illustrator who loves phở, boba milk tea, and homemade coffee from her husband! She graduated with a BFA in interior design. Since then, she has cultivated a deep passion for visual storytelling and teaching for international publishers, magazines, brands, and universities. Originally from Ho Chi Minh City, she is living and working in Los Angeles, California, with her cat, Cinderella. Visit her at thaiphuong.net.
Sylvia Chen View titles by Sylvia Chen
Thai My Phuong View titles by Thai My Phuong

Praise

"Any young reader with older siblings will relate to Sunny’s struggle with her hand-me-down dress, and her creative solution demonstrates how individual expression can be compatible with family expectations and traditions . . . A charming story about honoring traditions while staying true to oneself."--Kirkus Reviews

"Tired of being mixed up with her sisters and longing to distinguish herself, Sunny finds a way to channel both her creativity and the Lao Family Way to craft accessories for herself and her sibs. Softly textured artwork incorporates diaphanous clouds of gold, green, and magenta that emulate Sunny’s desire to look 'super shiny and special' in this book about finding a path toward being 'both alike and different.'"--Publishers Weekly

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