Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
An empowering story about a girl who turns her performance jitters into confidence when faced with singing a solo at her school concert. Inspired by the childhood experience of award-winning actress Phillipa Soo who originated the role of Eliza in Hamilton.
Piper Chen loves nothing more than to sing. She sings to the sun, and she sings to the moon. She sings to her stuffed animals and with the birds outside her window. So, when her music teacher asks if Piper would like to sing a solo in her school’s Spring Sing, all she can say is “yes!” But as practice continues, doubt and worry creep in and Piper’s confidence wavers. She feels like butterflies are having a dance party in her belly. At home, Piper finds Nai Nai, her grandmother, at the piano. They’ve always shared a love of music, and Piper knows if anyone can help her through the unsettling feeling in her stomach and to shine her brightest at the Spring Concert, it’s Nai Nai.
First time picture book writers and sisters-in-law, Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran along with acclaimed illustrator Qin Leng have created a cheerful intergenerational and stunning story that inspires confidence in the face of nervousness.
About the Author
Phillipa Soo is an actor and singer, best known for originating the role of “Eliza” in Broadway’s critically acclaimed HAMILTON, earning her a Tony nomination, a Grammy win, and an Emmy nomination for the award-winning film on Disney+. She has also appeared as “Cinderella” in INTO THE WOODS on Broadway, and “Guinevere” in Aaron Sorkin’s Broadway revival of CAMELOT, among many other plays and musicals. She stars in the film adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling novel, ONE TRUE LOVES, and voices the moon goddess, “Chang’e,” in Netflix’s animated feature, OVER THE MOON. On television, Soo can be seen in Hulu’s DOPESICK and in AppleTV+’s SHINING GIRLS. She resides in Brooklyn with her husband and fellow actor, Steven Pasquale.
Maris Pasquale Doran, LCSW has always loved listening to and learning from people’s personal narratives and has evolved her career in social work to include writing and creating her own characters and stories. Piper Chen Sings is her first publication. She continues to work as a private psychotherapist and is an adjunct lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Social Work. She lives in Maplewood, NJ with her husband and two young children. Reading to them is always her favorite part of the day.
Author Residence: New York City
Qin Leng is a visual development artist as well as an illustrator and author of children's books. Recent books include A Day for Sandcastles written by Jon Arno Lawson, Clover, which was the winner of the prestigious Governor General Literary Award, written by Nadine Robert, and her author-illustrator debut I am Small. She lives in Toronto with her husband and her son.
Illustrator Residence:Toronto, Canada
