New York Times best-selling children's author to stop in Clayton Thursday

Grace Lin, New York Times best-selling children's author, will stop in Clayton on Thursday for several programs.

Lin is the author of picture books, early readers and novels for children. She may be best known for the books "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon," which received the Newbery Honor; "When the Sea Turned to Silver," a National Book Finalist; and "A Big Mooncake for Little Star," named a Caldecott Honor this year.

Lin grew up in upstate New York, where she and her sisters were the only Asian children in the entire school and few books included anyone who looked like them. Now she lectures about the importance of children seeing themselves in the books they read, but also having books that show them other’s children’s experiences, according to a press release.

Thanks to a national grant, Clayton’s library is bringing Lin to town for full day of events with school children and families. Lin will start the day meeting with local students.

The visit comes thank to Clayton children's librarian Laura McGuire, who received the 2019 Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award from the Association of Library Services for Children, sponsored by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Clayton leaders are looking forward to the visit and the opportunity to highlight diversity in children's books as the town's own population grows more diverse, according to the release.

“It’s so important for us as a community to keep this in mind as we plan programs, events, collections, and even building projects in Clayton,” said Clayton Library Director Joy Garretson in the press release. “We want everyone to feel included in our town, and this special visit from Grace Lin is a great way to help us think about helping our kids see themselves reflected in our community.”