Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author and illustrator, as well as a translator and publisher. She is the author of Tofu Takes Time, illustrated by Julie Jarema (Beaming Books, 2022) and Long Goes To Dragon School, illustrated by Mae Besom (Yeehoo Press, 2023). Helen is the Publisher of Yeehoo Press, an independent children’s book publisher based in San Diego, California. Fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures, Helen loves to share stories that empower children to understand the world and our connections. Born and raised in Hefei, China, Helen moved to the US in her 20s. Currently, she resides in sunny Southern California, with her family and two kids. 

Learn more about Helen at helenhwu.com and follow her on Twitter at @HelenHWuBooks and on Instagram at @HelenHWu.

For inquiries, please contact helenhwubooks@gmail.com

For book publication, please visit yeehoopress.com

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another 2 books in 2024!

March. 21, 2023 | Yeehoo Press | ISBN 9781953458506

Long Goes to Dragon School

By Helen H. Wu, illustrated by Mae Besom

Wrapped in Eastern and Western dragon lore, this fantasy tale celebrates perseverance, self-acceptance, and cultural differences.
It’s the first day of Dragon School, where all the young dragons must learn how to harness their fire breath. Today’s lesson? Using it to cook food! All the dragons are excited to test their powers . . . except Long.
Long is from the East and can only breathe out water. No matter how hard he huffs and puffs, he isn’t sure he can match his fire breathing classmates. But will he be discovered? Or will Long find his own unique path to cooking-and to fitting in?
From TOFU TAKES TIME author Helen H. Wu and New York Times bestselling illustrator Mae Besom (WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA?) comes a gorgeously illustrated and stirring tale about self-acceptance. 

ISBN 9781506480350

Tofu Takes Time

By Helen H. Wu, illustrated by Julie Jamera

Homemade tofu is good, and good things take time.

CLICK CLACK WHIRRRR . . . Lin and her grandma, NaiNai, are making tofu from scratch! When NaiNai goes through each step, from blending soybeans with water to molding curd into shape, Lin gradually becomes impatient. But she soon discovers that making tofu not only takes time, but also takes the whole universe! It takes the seed from soil and sunshine, the cloth from thread and fiber, weight and space, books of words and pictures. And most of all, it takes spending lovely time with her beloved grandmother.

In this charming tale by Helen H. Wu, readers will marvel at how patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family. Perfect for fans of Fry Bread, Drawn Together and Thank You, Omu.

Official Booktrailer

Good things take time. For this official TOFU TAKES TIME book trailer, it took me some time to convince my two kids to sing the theme song. It will take me some more time (and maybe a set of Lego or two) to convince them to dance for it. It’ll be fun. Stay tuned!

Reviews

Goodreads

“Food is love in Chinese families. Tofu Takes Time illustrates that connection perfectly in this lyrical tale of a young girl making tofu with her grandmother. A lovely story of food, love, family, and the rewards of waiting for a good (and delicious) thing.”

Livia Blackburne, New York Times Bestselling Author of I Dream of Popo

“Beautifully and whimsically illustrated, Tofu Takes Time is a lovely celebration of tradition and family.”

Kat Zhang, Award-winning Author of Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

Tofu Takes Time sends me back to my childhood and those moments spent making soymilk, baozi, jiaozi, and zongzi with my Chinese mom. The sound-filled story captures the wonder and impatience of witnessing ingredients take shape as food. Each stage of the tofu-making process is connected to an appreciation of the components—seeds, water, cloth, heat, weight, and shape—which I thought was marvelous. Because “tofu takes time,” this book is an ode to patience and delayed gratification, ending with a family meal served with pride. A wonderful addition to any child’s library!”

Karen Yin, Author of Whole Whale and So Not Ghoul

“Tofu Takes Time is lovely in its simplicity and magical in its proportions. This is a story of a granddaughter and grandmother making tofu together and it is also a story of the natural processes that allow us the gift of a favorite food and its connections to family, history, and the natural world.”

Kao Kalia Yang, Author of The Most Beautiful Thing and A Map into the World

Tofu Takes Time is a sweet story of intergenerational love and sharing, which highlights Asian culture and demonstrates the important message that ‘good things take time.’ An imaginative child and equally imaginative art make this a tasty treat for all to read.”

Lynne Marie, Author of Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World and The Star in the Christmas Play

English

Be A Coronavirus Fighter

By Songju Ma Daemicke and Helen H. Wu

What is coronavirus? Why can’t I go outside and play with my friends? What should I do? This informative picture book explains the current virus situation in simple terms and urges children to help fight it!