As a group of avid readers in the LRP team we are very happy to have recently expanded our book offering online and in the showroom. We knew you would be interested in finding out more about some of the wonderful authors and illustrators who have created the ones we've selected. All books have a Hong Kong theme whether it be written or illustrated by someone who lives here or is about the city, the stories and the history of the place so many of us call home.
About you
My name is Jo, I was born and raised in Hong Kong, and educated in the United Kingdom and Canada. I am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and currently serves as Director of Leadership Development in a flexible workspace. ‘Please Be You’ provides a refreshing, alternate take on developing language skills in young children. Unlike many prototypical books intended to teach the alphabet, this ABC book leverages important values and concepts such as confidence and empathy to foster self-acceptance and resilience in children. There is a boy version called 'I Am Me'
Your Inspiration
One of my very good friends has a skin condition called Harlequin Ichthyosis and was telling me the constant bullying and discrimination she endures on a daily basis. I was reading an ABC book to Skye, my daughter, and it hit me that I will not be by her side to protect her forever from these "monsters" so it was important that I help build her self-esteem, let her know she is worthy and loved no matter what, so I thought, why not teach her about self acceptance and resilience through learning the alphabet. Instead of learning B for Boy and C for Cat, why not learn B for Beautiful and C for Confident?
Favourite thing to do or see in Hong Kong
Exploring Hong Kong - there is always a new restaurant, a new bar, a new place happening in Hong Kong, even if you go to a different restaurant a night you will not have a repeat in a year...or 5!! What I love about HK is that it's home, it will always be my home but it's not static, it continues to evolve, to grow, to surprise.
What is your favourite letter (and therefore word) in Please Be You book and why
This is a hard one, probably U for Unique. We are all different in our own way, we are all beautiful in our own way and I think it's important kids (and adults) understand that it's perfectly ok to be different from others, it's a wonderful thing. Don't try to shrink yourself to fit in, be your authentic self and you will attract the right people.
