Bo Lu's BAO'S DOLL In-Store Picture Book Launch

Join us at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore on Tuesday, June 18, when local children's book author & illustrator Bo Lu comes to the store to launch her debut picture book Bao's Doll. Bo will read from and discuss her book and will sign copies after the presentation. She will be joined in conversation with Kathryn Jaller.

Click here to preorder a copy of Bao's Doll.

Bo Lu’s picture book Bao’s Doll is a moving story of empathy, forgiveness, and connection about an immigrant mother and her daughter who discover they have more in common than they ever knew.

Whenever Mama says, “when I was a little girl in Taiwan, we had nothing,” Bao stops listening. Mama does not understand Bao, and Bao certainly does not understand Mama.

So when Bao desperately wants a doll—specifically, the beautiful, blonde All-American Artist Amanda doll that everyone else has—Bao takes matters into her own hands and steals Amanda from the store. After getting caught, Bao’s chest feels heavy like a giant rock. But gradually, the awkward silence between Bao and Mama shifts to honesty, and eventually, a deeper understanding of what binds them.

Inspired by the childhood of debut talent Bo Lu, this poignant picture book brings emotional layers to the story of a parent and child learning to connect with their heritage and each other.

THIS EVENT is free but pre-registration is requested. Registration ends at 5:30 pm on June 18th.

BECAUSE SEATING is limited, please register only if you plan to attend.

DUE TO SPACE limitations, we may not be able to accommodate every person at an event, so early registration is encouraged.

WALK-INS will be accommodated only if space allows.

WE ASK that attendees arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 PM for the event.

PLEASE leave your non-support companion animals at home.

OUR shared restrooms are not accessible after 6:30 PM, please plan accordingly.

BO LU moved from bustling Taipei to suburban Kansas as a little girl. Before English words made sense, the world of picture books welcomed her in. It was in those pictures that she found comfort in her new beginning. As an author and illustrator, she hopes to create a safe space to explore big feelings through images and stories. Bo also finds comfort in slurping noodle soups, exploring the Bay Area Redwoods, and dancing with her girls around their dad at the dinner table. Bao’s Doll is her debut picture book.

KATHRYN JALLER is a writer and artist who has worked with words in the fields of museums, publishing, and design. Being raised in a bicultural home formed her interest in the tensions and creative possibilities of being between worlds. She’s always trying some new craft (watercolor and enameling are the latest) and shares a household with three cats, two grownups, and one toddler. Her labors of various kinds have been featured at SXSW, Litquake, West Coast Craft, and in the New York Times.