Carren Jao, author
Carren Jao is a Chinese Filipina storyteller based in Greater Seattle. She is deeply interested in finding the common threads between people of different cultures and amplifying the representation of Filipino and Chinese culture in children's books. Her stories are like blankets that provide warmth and comfort for one, but can also be shared with many.
Her written work is inspired by her multi-generational immigrant experience — first with her Chinese immigrant family in the Philippines and then now as a new immigrant to the United States — as well as her friendships and travels.
She is the co-lead for the ANHPI Affinity Group at Julie Hedlund's 12x12 Picture Book Challenge. She is also a member of the Authors Guild, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and a 2023 PB Rising Star mentored by Sylvia Chen. She is the 2022 winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award. Carren is represented by Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary.
Lee & Low New Voices Award winnerBooks
Maya Breaks It Down
Illustrated by Aphelandra · Forthcoming
Author programming
Now booking · virtual and in-person · storytimes, heritage, and writing presentations
Events
All times Pacific Time unless noted.
2026
September 17 · 11 a.m.
Read Your World IG Live.
October 4 · 11 a.m.
Join Carren for a storytime event with Filipino Story Time, Seattle at Third Place Books, Seward Park. Books available at Third Place Books!
October 8 · 11 – 11:30 a.m.
Kidsquest Museum storytime. Books available at the event.
October 8 · 4 – 4:30 p.m.
Virtual storytime at Chinese American Museum and Los Angeles Public Library’s Chinatown branch. Register here.
October 16
Skyline Elementary School.
October 17 · 9:30 – 10 a.m.
Storytime with Carren Jao and Michelle Sterling at Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe.
October 17 · 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Book Signing: Riding Through Rice Fields with Michelle Sterling and The Shape of Love with Carren Jao, at On Waverly.
October 17 – 18
8th Annual Filipino American International Book Festival, San Francisco Main Library.
- Sat 3:20 – 3:40 p.m. Author signing outside Koret Auditorium
- Sat 4 – 5:15 p.m. Panel discussion — Packed with Love: The Balikbayan Box in Filipino American Picture Books, with Christine Alemshah and Faith Kazmi
- Sun 12:15 – 5 p.m. Books for sale and signing at the Latino Room Marketplace
October 18 · 6:30 p.m.
Kidlit Mixer at Linden Tree Books.
October 19 · Afternoon
Spruce Elementary School.
October 30 · 12 – 12:50 p.m.
In conversation with HealthPoint.
November 15 · 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Storytime with Carren Jao and Chloe Ito Ward at Little Sài Gòn Creative.
December 12 · 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
The Shape of Love: Storytelling and Balikbayan Box Decorating at Seattle Public Library, Beacon Hill branch.
Press
- School Library Journal: Q&A with Betsy Bird — A Balikbayan Box Full of The Shape of Love
- Read Your World live interview (Excuse the bloopers! :) We had some tech difficulties!)
- Kidlit in Color
- PB Study Buddy with Sylvia Chen
- Fall 2026 Lee & Low Author showcase
- July 2026 issue of Ingram's Children's Advance
- Arrivals podcast: Stories from first-generation immigrant women
- 12x12 podcast — Celebrating AANHPI Month with Carren Jao