ICY FRUIT Picture Book Cover Reveal – Written by Charlotte Cheng & Illustrated by Vivian Mineker
One of the biggest milestones in the development of a book is its cover. As such, I’m honored that author Charlotte Cheng has asked Bicultural Mama to officially reveal the cover of her upcoming picture book ICY FRUIT! Illustrated by Vivian Mineker and published by Rocky Pond Books, ICY FRUIT (ages 4-8 years) launches on May 6, 2025 and is now available for pre-order. Based on a true story, ICY FRUIT is a loving tribute to the author’s grandfather who invented a cool, delicious summer treat popular in Taiwan.
ICY FRUIT Cover Reveal
Here is the official book description from Penguin Random House, the parent company of the imprint Rocky Pond Books:
This fun and fascinating biography of a Taiwanese ice pop entrepreneur—the author’s beloved grandfather—is a terrific read-aloud about inventiveness and the treats of summer.
Charlotte Cheng’s grandfather always had a bag of coins rustling in his pocket. That bag carried with it “a story of joyful jingles, sultry summers, and fresh frozen fruit which began in 1965 in the lush valleys and mountains of an island called Taiwan.”
This story of Agong’s Icy Fruit company, from first inspired idea through experimentation to countrywide success, is a lyrical, lively, and richly illustrated read that’s part biography, part family tribute, and part celebration of summer. Gather round for Icy Fruit!
Bicultural Mama had the opportunity to interview Charlotte Cheng about her inspiring new book. Read on to find out more!
ICY FRUIT is based on a true story. What inspired you to write it?
Charlotte Cheng: My grandfather started a popular popsicle company in Taiwan called Dong Dong Guo or “Icy Fruit.” When my grandfather passed away, the entire family learned the jingle for his Icy Fruit company so that we could sing the song at his funeral. As we were learning the jingle, my father, aunts, and uncles started sharing stories about my grandfather’s popsicle business. One of them even brought out an old uniform worn by the Icy Fruit employees. They would play the jingle on their bikes and sell delicious popsicle treats throughout the streets of Taipei, Taiwan.
When we finally performed the jingle at my grandfather’s funeral, the room was filled with tears and laughter. Later on, the song lingered in my mind for many years and so did the story of icy fruit. I brought up the idea with my editor, Lauri Hornik, and I was able to write ICY FRUIT with her encouragement and guidance.
Did you have conversations with your grandfather about the popsicle business he started? If so, what were they like?
Charlotte Cheng: As a child, my grandfather would always have a plastic bag in his pocket, where he would carry all of his coins. I remember asking him why he used the bag instead of a regular coin purse. It turned out the bag was the packaging used for his popsicle company. Instead of popsicle sticks, they would place crushed fruit into small plastic bags that were perfect for the size of kids’ hands. My grandfather didn’t share many details about his popsicle business but when he did, he always spoke about Icy Fruit with great pride. Perhaps it’s why he carried that plastic bag in his pocket – to bring back fond memories of his beloved popsicle business.
How did your relatives react to you writing a story about your grandfather’s business?
Charlotte Cheng: My relatives were so helpful in gathering information for the story! My father interviewed old acquaintances who used to work at the Icy Fruit company. My aunt shared a report she once wrote about Icy Fruit and many relatives shared photos that the talented artist, Vivian Mineker, referenced when illustrating the book. Many of my cousins hadn’t heard about the details of the Icy Fruit company so they were excited to learn more about our grandfather’s past. I’ll definitely make sure they receive copies of the book when it comes out!
What themes about this personal story do you think resonate with young readers who may have different backgrounds than the characters in the book?
Charlotte Cheng: I’ve always been fascinated by how things are invented or made. As a kid, I especially loved watching videos that featured the process of making crayons, candies, and so much more! ICY FRUIT can connect with kids who are similarly fascinated and show them how popsicles were once made and sold. Plus, who doesn’t love popsicles?
My grandfather was also a businessman, who always explored creative opportunities which included selling exotic souvenirs and importing musical acts. I hope that my grandfather’s popsicle story connects with aspiring entrepreneurs who enjoy solving problems in creative ways too.
What was the process like to develop the illustrations?
Charlotte Cheng: Vivian Mineker is a talented Taiwanese artist who brought so much colorful fun to ICY FRUIT. In the story, we also follow my grandfather through different stages of his life – from when he was a young businessman to the year he passed away. With the help of my relatives, I gathered several photos of my grandfather across the different decades of his life so that Vivian had references to illustrate his likeness. Furthermore, I shared photos of the packaging, the uniforms, and even the sheet music for ICY FRUIT!
When it came to revisions, we often only had small revisions and suggestions – mostly to make sure parts of the illustrations were accurate. This came down to the way the notes for the jingle were illustrated and the way the signs on the streets were written so that they matched the correct time period in Taiwan.
Vivian was able to integrate details from the photos and our revision notes to truly capture the essence of my grandfather’s spirit in her illustrations. I know my grandfather would be so proud. She also made the popsicles look absolutely delicious – you want to grab them straight off the page!
What did you think of the cover when you first saw it?
Charlotte Cheng: For the cover, I loved how Vivian focused on children enjoying the taste of Icy Fruit popsicles. To this day in Taiwan, many people from my father’s generation can sing the Icy Fruit jingle from memory. Their fond childhood memories of popsicles on a hot and humid day are the true legacy of my grandfather’s popsicle business. I also love how Vivian included the logo of Icy Fruit and fresh fruit on the cover. They both hint at elements of the story and the fruit also makes the popsicles look refreshing and delicious.
Do you have other books coming out?
Charlotte Cheng: I have two more books coming out soon! Later in 2025, Rocky Pond Books will be publishing Ama’s Purse, illustrated by Xindi Yan, where a girl discovers the magic inside her grandmother’s purse during their family road trip. In 2026, I also have a book coming out with Harper Kids called A Name for Sister, illustrated by Sophia Diao. It’s a magical new sister story inspired by a centuries-old naming tradition from China.
Where to Purchase ICY FRUIT
ICY FRUIT is available on Amazon and other retailers both online and in-store. Pre-order your copy now to support this wonderfully unique and touching story!
Author Bio
Charlotte Cheng has written and illustrated a variety of books including Night Market Rescue, Roar-Choo!, I Miss You Most, and BoBo Loves Dumplings. With over 20 years of EdTech experience, Charlotte has also written and published K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies including CodeCombat, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. You can learn more about Charlotte’s work at: www.charlotte.art
