Y.Y. Chan Discusses The Importance Of Addressing Difficult Topics In Children’s Books
Y.Y. Chan shares her journey of transforming personal grief into children’s literature, emphasizing the importance of addressing difficult topics and using writing as a therapeutic tool for healing and understanding.
Y.Y. Chan is a remarkable voice in contemporary children’s literature, hailing from Hong Kong and captivating readers worldwide with her poignant storytelling. Her works are celebrated for their emotional depth and courage in addressing complex themes such as grief and loss, making her a multi-award-winning author. Chan’s ability to weave narratives that resonate with both young and adult audiences is a testament to her skill and sensitivity as a writer. Her books, including the acclaimed “Can You Hear Me, Daddy?” and “Grandma, It’s Me!”, are not just stories but essential tools that help families and educators navigate difficult conversations with children. Through her writing, Chan offers solace and understanding, encouraging readers to embrace their emotions and find hope amidst life’s challenges.
In this insightful interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Y.Y. Chan shares her journey as an author and educator, revealing the personal experiences that have shaped her narratives. Her passion for storytelling is evident as she discusses the importance of addressing societal issues through children’s literature and the therapeutic power of writing. Chan’s dedication to fostering empathy and emotional intelligence in young readers is truly inspiring, and her works continue to leave a lasting impact on families and communities around the world.
Your debut picture book, Can You Hear Me, Daddy?, tackles the complex and emotional topic of grief through the eyes of a child. How did your personal experience of losing your father shape the narrative, and what message do you hope young readers will take away from Renee’s story?
My experience of losing my father to cancer at first inspired me to write a memoir. As I began, I realized I couldn’t remember some details clearly and didn’t want to share some details with others, so I reframed it into a story for children. I wrote from the perspective of a young girl rather than an adult. The events are fictional, but the emotions are real. I considered how I would have felt losing my father as a child, imagining conversations I would have wanted with him—what I wanted to say and what I wished he could have said to me. The message I hope readers take away is that, while loss is inevitable, our loved ones remain in our hearts. We can keep talking to them whenever we want. It’s normal to grieve and feel sad; we only grieve because we love.
In both Can You Hear Me, Daddy? and Grandma, It’s Me!, you address difficult subjects like death and dementia in a way that is accessible to children. What inspired you to write about these topics, and how do you approach making such heavy themes relatable for young audiences?
Growing up in an Asian family, I often felt that topics like death should not be discussed. It is considered unlucky to talk about it, and some even keep terminal diagnoses secret from their family members. Ignoring these realities only causes more harm and suffering. In the final moments, we can’t avoid the topic, leading to difficulty coping and sometimes regret. Many think children are too young to understand, but they are very aware of death and illness. While starting these conversations can be tough, they are essential for helping children understand the world and express their emotions during these events. I wish I had read more books on this topic when I was a child, as they could have helped me cope better as an adult. We must be realistic and age-appropriate without being graphic when writing about these topics for children. The key is to include genuine emotions, as readers may not relate to specific scenarios but can connect with a character’s feelings and thoughts.
Journaling plays a significant role in your stories, serving as a tool for your characters to process their emotions. Why do you believe journaling is an important practice for children, especially when dealing with grief and loss?
It can be difficult to express our emotions to family and friends verbally. And sometimes, we are not ready to talk about them with others. Yet, we need an outlet to express them. Writing has often been therapeutic for me. It doesn’t need to be shared so it doesn’t need to be perfect or grammatically correct. It’s simply a personal and private collection of your experiences and emotions. Journaling is a way for everyone to process their emotions without fear of judgement, and it also becomes a keepsake of all your memories and experiences with your loved ones. This practice allows us to process our emotions by identifying what they are, why we feel that way and possibly reveal any insights, epiphanies or action steps to move forward. For those who may not have the skills to write or are too young to form coherent sentences, they can draw or record audio or video clips instead. It’s simply a record of your experiences and feelings. You may choose to share them with others later or keep them private.
Your books have received high praise for their ability to foster conversations about loss and memory in families, schools, and communities. What feedback have you received from readers, particularly from parents and educators, regarding the impact of your books?
Many parents have shared that after reading these stories with their children, they became more open about difficult topics and more attuned to their family and friends’ feelings. With Grandma, It’s Me! which is about dementia, the story helped children be more patient and understanding toward their grandparents and other elderly people. Families with members suffering from dementia found ways to connect and communicate more effectively, strengthening their bonds. I also used this book to teach my students, which sparked conversations about caring for the elderly and some students also shared their experiences with grandparents who had other illnesses. For Can You Hear Me, Daddy?, parents mentioned that the story brought them hope and peace. Despite its sadness, the ending reassures them that their loved ones will always be remembered and loved. This book was used in a Hong Kong kindergarten, where children drew pictures before, during, and after listening to the story. Many drawings reflected a shift in perspective, moving from sadness and darkness to joy and hope.
As an award-winning author, how do you view the role of children’s literature in addressing societal issues and personal challenges? How do you ensure your stories are both comforting and educational for young readers?
Children’s literature is vital in shaping the values, morals, and beliefs of future generations. While our world is ever-changing, some experiences—like family, love, respect, illness, aging, and death—remain universal. Children need to learn to regulate their emotions, understand different perspectives, respect others’ opinions, and overcome adversity to become valuable members of society. Teaching these concepts can be challenging for parents and teachers, but books can convey these messages in accessible and relatable ways. Children are more likely to remember a story than a lesson. As an author with a teaching background, I include questions and resources at the back of my books to encourage further discussion. I want readers to reflect, relate the story to their own lives, and share similar experiences, knowing they are not alone and can find support from others.
Your journey as a writer began from a place of personal loss. How has writing these books influenced your own healing process, and what advice would you offer to others who might be considering writing as a way to cope with their grief?
Though I dreamed of becoming an author for a long time, I felt I lacked unique ideas for a good story. After experiencing loss, I encountered emotions I had never felt before. I didn’t know how to cope, so I began writing to heal. Those emotions actually helped to make my writing more real and raw. I had many feelings I couldn’t express verbally. It was easier to write them down than to speak, as tears would often prevent me from expressing myself clearly. Writing gave me freedom; I could cry and still get the words out. This process eventually helped me open up to friends and family. I wrote journals, stories, letters, poems, and blog posts about my experiences, sharing some while keeping others private. Each time I write, I feel a weight lifted and can move past the pain. For anyone considering writing as a way to cope with grief, my advice is to be free. Write how you feel, whatever comes to mind. Even if it’s random words, just write it all down. Write about what happened, your feelings, what you wanted to say to your loved one, or what you loved or hated about them. I even created a grief journal, Creative Ways to Grieve: A Guided Grief Journal, to encourage grievers to express themselves creatively. It’s not just for writing; you can draw, take photos, paint, sing, or cook—whatever you feel honors your loved one’s memory.
EDITOR’S HIGHLIGHTS
Recommended reads for authors
