Cherry Mo is the Caldecott-Honor winning author-illustrator of HOME IN A LUNCHBOX, published in June 2024 from Penguin Workshop (Penguin Random House). This book is inspired by Cherry’s personal experience of moving from Hong Kong to America at the age of ten. HOME IN A LUNCHBOX is one of Kirkus Best Picture Books of the year, a 2024 Best Picture Book of Bookshop.org, an Indie Next List Pick, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and garnered starred reviews from Publisher Weekly and School Library Journal. Through writing and illustrating, she hopes to bring young readers a sense of comfort and belonging. She draws inspiration from her personal experiences and Chinese-American background. Cherry has a second picture book coming from Penguin Workshop (details are to be announced).
Besides her creative work, Cherry is actively involved in a nonprofit organization focusing on self-awareness. She translates her practices of self-awareness into her author-illustrator work, and she hopes to continue creating meaningful stories that inspire children to understand themselves and assist others. See more of her work on www.cherrymo.com, or on X and Instagram @hellocherrymo.
Picture Books:
HOME IN A LUNCHBOX (Penguin Workshop, June 11, 2024) Click here for more info.
Book 2: More details soon! (Penguin Workshop, 2027)
Awards & Recognitions:
2025 Randolph Caldecott Honor
2025 CLA / NCTE Notable Children's Book
2025 An ILA Notable Book for a Global Society
2025 Golden Kite Awards Finalist for Picture Book Illustration
2025 ALSC Notable Children's Book
2024 Overall Best in Young Literature - Moss Kids Books Project
2024 Kirkus Best Picture Books of The Year
2024 Best Books of New York Public Library
2024 Evanston Public Library Best Books of the Year
2024 CSMCL Best Books of the Year
2024 Best Picture Books of Bookshop.org
2024 Society of Illustrators Original Art Show
2024 An Indie Next List Pick for July and August
2023 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
2022 SCBWI MayFest Portfolio Showcase Winner
2021 SCBWI Juried Art Show: Best in Show Award & People’s Choice Award
Education:
Dec. 2021 - Mar. 2022 Art Mentorship with Art Director Adela Pons, Peachtree Press
2021 Children’s Book Academy with Dr. Mira Reisberg
2011-2014 ArtCenter College of Design, Illustration
For publishing inquiries, please contact
To request an in-person or virtual speaking engagement,
please contact Authors Out Loud.
Visit Cherry's SPEAKING PROFILE for additional information.
Thank you!