top of page

    MY JOURNEY

Favorite Quote: "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit." - Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

Asian woman with long dark hair, wearing a maroon jacket and pink shirt

When I was in 7th grade, an English teacher gave us an assignment to create our own island, make up names of lakes, mountains, cities, people it with interesting characters and write a story. I had so much fun using my imagination, I have been writing ever since.

 

I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but attended elementary school in Singapore, and high school in Hong Kong, where we moved to be closer to my Mom's family. In 1979, I came to the U.S. for college and graduated from Dominican University in San Rafael, California, with a B.A. in English Literature with a Writing Emphasis, and a M.S. in Counseling Psychology.

​

Five years old, at our apartment in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The author as a 3 year old girl in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
The author as a 5 year old girl in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Two years old, and already loving books!

Feeding monkeys.jpg

Feeding monkeys at the Kuala Lumpur zoo. I'm on the left next to my Mom.

Most of my career has been in counseling or social work. I worked with Mendocino County Child Protective Services, and with kids in residential treatment centers, and group homes. It was here, reading and telling stories to kids who were away from their families, that I discovered the power of stories to soothe, comfort and inspire children. I decided I wanted to write books for kids. Currently, I have a part-time day job with the Mendocino County Office of Education as a grant manager and Mental Health Awareness coordinator and instructor.

 

I enjoy writing in different genres and, in addition to children's books, have written magazine articles (both for kids and adults), short plays, play and book reviews, and am currently working on two middle grade novels as well as more picture book projects.

With Mom & Dad.jpg

With Mom and Dad in KL. Doesn't my Mom look Audrey Hepburn-esque?

BOOKS

Books
LNY Cover.jpg
Lunar New Year cover - Pogo.jpg

LUNAR NEW YEAR

Quarto Books: Words & Pictures

Nov. 7, 2023

LUNAR NEW YEAR

Jump Publishing: Pogo Books

Aug. 1, 2023

Dim%252520Sum%252520cover_edited_edited_

LUNA'S YUM YUM DIM SUM

Charlesbridge Publishing

Dec. 22, 2020

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

Disney/Pixar

Feb. 8, 2022

LIGHTYEAR

Little Golden Book

Random House

May 3, 2022

Mulan cover.jpg

MULAN'S LUNAR NEW YEAR

Disney Press

Oct. 30, 2018

Rock Maiden cover.jpg

THE ROCK MAIDEN

Wisdom Tales Press

March 1, 2017

Goldy Luck cover.jpg

GOLDY LUCK AND THE THREE PANDAS

Charlesbridge Publishing

Jan. 7, 2014

Sacajawea Cover.jpg

SACAJAWEA OF

THE SHOSHONE

Goosebottom Books

Oct. 6, 2012

Cixi cover.jpg

CIXI, THE DRAGON EMPRESS

Goosebottom Books

Oct. 3, 2011

Otto's Rainy Day

OTTO'S RAINY DAY

Charlesbridge Publishing

July 1, 2000

AUTHOR VISITS

Natasha Yim with some students at a school visit holding up paper Goldy Luck and panda puppet craft

School Visits

Dastardly Dames book launch.jpg

Library/Bookstore Visits & Other Presentations

Sacajawea coloring page.jpg

Fun Stuff

Author Visits
News and Events

EVENTS & APPEARANCES

Stanford pic
Sun House book signing
Sonoma Book Fest table
Sacajawea reading - Sonoma Book Fest
Catherine & Cixi in Santa Rosa
CWIC - Natasha 1
CWIC Natasha 4

Upcoming Events

PAST EVENTS

Contact

CONTACT

Thanks for contacting me! I'll get back to you shortly.

Follow me:

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Twitter
  • Instagram Social Icon
bottom of page