Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsey Chen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kelsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’ve always loved writing and felt a natural passion for it, but I never truly believed I could become a children’s book author and illustrator. The idea first came up thanks to my cousin, who suggested, ‘Hey, you should write a book.’ I immediately brushed it off, thinking, ‘No way—writing children’s books is way too hard!’

In late 2021, my life took a heartbreaking turn when I lost my third child due to a near-fatal miscarriage. The grief was overwhelming, and I found myself haunted by endless ‘what ifs’ and questions of ‘What could I have done differently?’ Then, in March 2022, I found out I was expecting again—this time with twins. My heart was so full, and while their arrival brought immense joy, I still felt the grief of the child I had lost. With the twins, I now have four beautiful children, yet I often think, ‘If not for that loss, I would have five.’

Through that mix of joy and grief, I found myself writing—a story that helped me imagine life if I had all five children. That writing grew into the Five Little Dumplings book series. My journey into writing children’s books became a way to celebrate both the love and the loss in my life. Each story I write is, in a way, a tribute to the beauty and resilience of family.

I never thought creating children’s books would be something I could or would do, but now, each book I write has a real purpose and meaning behind it. My stories are intended to bring uplifting and encouraging messages to young children, helping early readers learn, laugh, and connect with stories they can truly relate to and find joy in.

Kelsey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began this journey not only as a way to cope with my loss but also to encourage my four young children, all of whom are at a stage of learning to read or speak (ages 2-6). I wanted to create stories that would inspire them in their own journeys. My first book, Five Little Dumplings Get Ready for School, was written to motivate my kids—especially my oldest son and daughter, who often struggled with getting out the door each morning because they didn’t enjoy going to school. So, I began singing silly songs to make getting ready fun and help them see that school was a place where they could accomplish amazing things.

Starting school can feel overwhelming for little ones. Leaving the comfort of home and stepping into a new world without mom or dad is challenging. But I believe that if children can see themselves as capable of doing incredible things and growing into inspiring leaders, that spark might be enough to help them enjoy school. My hope is that these stories help children feel confident, connected, and excited about their own learning adventures.

Five Little Dumplings Get Ready for School follows the tune “10 monkeys jumping on the bed.” It rhymes beautifully and can almost be sung if you tried. It takes young children scene by scene as each of the Five Little Dumplings get ready for school. In the end it gives children a strong and encouraging message of love, strength, and motivation. Children will know that they are empowered to do amazing things when they go to school.

After I wrote and illustrated my first book, I realized how much fun it was. So I kept writing and Five Little Dumplings is now a series of eight books. All filled with fun and encouraging stories ranging from Christmas, Lunar New Year, Easter, Kindness, ABC’s, and Gratitude.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My own children, along with all the children out there learning to read, are the true driving force behind my creative journey. I consider myself a very intentional mother, always aiming to create meaningful experiences for my children alongside my husband. This same intentionality is woven into each of my books, with a focus on nurturing the bond between child and parent and celebrating experiences that feel real and relevant to young families.

I hope that as children read my books with their parents, they’re inspired to recreate those joyful moments in their own lives. My goal is to encourage kids to spread love, joy, and happiness in their world, helping to build connections and positive memories that last.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a self-published author and illustrator is watching children’s faces light up as I read my books to them. They become so engaged and curious, asking wonderful questions about the dumplings, like, ‘Do the dumplings have arms?’ or, in my Lunar New Year book, ‘Why are the dumplings eating other dumplings?’ These questions reveal just how much they’ve connected with the characters, and I always try to encourage that imagination by helping them see the Five Little Dumplings as real children. These stories aren’t just entertaining—they invite young readers to think, wonder, and bring the characters to life in their minds, making reading a fun and interactive experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/fivelittledumplings/bookshop
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fivelittledumplings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fivelittledumplings