Dear Reader, 

When I was a kid, all I wanted was for magic to be real. 

In the third grade, my family moved from a big, diverse metropolis to a tiny Texas town, where I was one of the only Asian American kids in my whole school. As an escape, I retreated into fantasy stories, the more magical the better. 

Most of the books I’ve written were created with that lonely girl in mind. But while I’ve written middle grade fantasy novels and magical chapter books, this is my first series for readers who are somewhere in between —right at the age I was when I needed these kinds of stories the most. 

At the beginning of our pandemic quarantine, my two daughters (ages 7 and 9 at the time) started consuming epic fantasy, both on the page (we read The Lord of the Rings aloud) and on the screen (they binge-watched Avatar, the Last Airbender at least eleven times). At first, I was surprised that not only could they keep track of all the complex world-building and lore, but they were absolutely eating it up. And then I remembered—oh yeah, that was me! 

With The Legends of Lotus Island I wanted to create a world that felt expansive and mysterious, with characters that were layered and complicated. And I wanted to make all of this accessible and fun for younger kids, the ones who might be aging out of beginning chapter books, but who were still a little intimidated to tackle a thick fantasy tome on their own. 

In this series, readers will meet Plum, a reluctant hero who feels more comfortable digging in the garden than saving the world. But like so many young people, something is stirring in Plum’s heart—a tiny voice telling her that maybe she has a bigger part to play. Along her journey, Plum will have to lean on the lessons that she learns on Lotus Island, including meditation, being present, and recognizing the connection between all living things. These are fundamental concepts in Buddhism, and their importance was impressed on me at a young age. 

Luckily, Plum also has a rock-solid crew of friends to help her. Not only can they transform into magical creatures, but they are also hilarious, and they bring the best snacks. What more do you need in a friend? 

I hope that the kids who read these books feel like magic is real. I hope they feel like Plum and her crew are there for them. And when they hear a tiny voice in their hearts telling them they have a bigger part to play, I hope that they listen and believe. 

Thank you for reading and sharing Plum’s story. 

Christina Soontornvat