MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET Author and Illustrator Interviews
I’m thrilled to introduce MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET, a picture book written by Emily Sun Li and illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng! Not only do I love how the story embraces Taiwanese culture, but I’m also so impressed with its luminous, beautiful illustrations. Fun Fact: Yu Ting Cheng was also the illustrator of my picture book, MY NAME IS AI LIN!
MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET releases on April 14, 2026, via Penguin Random House and is available for pre-order.
Publisher’s Book Description:
Perfect for fans of Spirited Away and Domee Shi’s Pixar short Bao, this humorous picture book tells the fantastical tale of one grumpy old man and the creation of Taiwan’s first night market.
Mr. Chow lives for the night, when the moon is a wok full of simmering oil.
Too bad he owns a supermarket and has to wake up very, very early. Mr. Chow hates mornings and so does his store: The shopping carts are sluggish, the front door yawns, and the pomelos roll down the aisle in a sleepy daze.
When disaster strikes, Mr. Chow seeks advice from other workers and the similarly buoyant, anthropomorphic buildings they work in. And soon, he discovers that his store doesn’t have to be a morning market…it can be a night market!
Accompanied by spellbinding art from Yu Ting Cheng, debut author Emily Sun Li crafts a whimsical myth about how the very first Taiwanese night market was created.
I had the opportunity to interview author Emily Sun Li and illustrator Yu Ting Cheng, who shared a behind-the-scenes look into the development of this book. Read on to find out more about MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET!
Author Interview with Emily Sun Li
Bicultural Mama (BM): What is the book about, and what inspired you to write it?
Emily Sun Li (EMS): Mr. Chow’s Night Market is about an anthropomorphic grocery store in Taiwan and the grumpy grandpa who owns it—both of whom struggle to wake up early enough to open on time. Instead of forcing themselves to become morning people—or a morning building—they make a bold decision: they transform the store into Taiwan’s first night market!
The story was inspired by a deeply meaningful chapter of my life—living in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for two years as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. As a night owl and an avid foodie, I fell head over heels in love with Taiwan’s night markets. It was my first time living somewhere that embraced staying up late, and it made me reflect on the invisible cultural forces that shape our routines, our habits, and even our sense of what’s “normal.”
That curiosity sparked the question that eventually became this book: What if, instead of squeezing ourselves into expectations that don’t fit, we reshaped our world to better suit who we are?
BM: How do the themes in the story relate to young readers whose backgrounds may be different than those featured in the story?
EMS: For readers who might be unfamiliar with the cultural world of Mr. Chow’s Night Market, I think it’s powerful that they simply experience it through the book—not as a lesson or a piece of information, but as a lived-in, immersive portrait of Taiwan. Stories allow readers to step into environments beyond their own. The earlier they experience that, the more expansive and empathetic their understanding of the world—and the people in it—can become.
Beyond the setting, I hope the emotional core of the story feels universal. Most of us—all of us, probably!—know what it’s like not to perfectly meet society’s expectations. What I love about Mr. Chow is that he doesn’t solve his problem by becoming someone different. Instead, he imagines a new possibility altogether. I hope readers from any background can see that creativity and courage can open doors that didn’t seem to exist before.
BM: What was the process like for you to get the book published?
EMS: I first drafted the book for a workshop at Simmons University about four years ago, while I was completing my MFA in Writing for Children. The heart of it has stayed the same, but so much has evolved along the way. In early drafts, there were no people at all, and the book was titled Chow Does Not Like Mornings.
After I signed with my literary agent, Emily Forney at BookEnds, we revised the manuscript and sent it out on submission. When Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop offered a revise-and-resubmit, we took time to reflect on her vision—and ultimately felt that we’d found the right creative partner for the book! Elizabeth brought incredible insight to the story, particularly around humanizing the narrative through the addition of Mr. Chow and his grandchildren, and sharpening the metaphors so they felt more intentional and consistently thematic.
Picture books may be short, but they take time! It’s been a long journey, and I’m so excited that Mr. Chow is finally on his way to readers.
BM: What level of interaction did you and the illustrator have during the process?
EMS: I was so thrilled to be working with Yu Ting—she was my first-choice illustrator!—and it has been incredibly special to watch this book come to life through her art. I felt so grateful to be included throughout the illustration process and to see the project evolve visually from the very beginning. At one point, we even wondered whether Mr. Chow might be a grumpy grandma, and it was such a delight to see Yu Ting’s early side-by-side sketches of grumpy old men and women!
There’s something truly magical about watching a picture book grow—from rough sketches, to black-and-white spreads, to full color. Yu-Ting brought so much warmth, humor, and texture to the world of the story. I shared small thoughts here and there and deeply appreciated how thoughtfully my feedback was incorporated, but I also wanted to be very respectful of the interpretation she was bringing to the project. Seeing the story expand through her vision has been such a gift.
Our collaboration now extends beyond the book—we’ve even designed pre-order merchandise together, like bookmarks, postcards, and canvas cupholders, alongside my graphic designer little sister, Allison Li. We’ll be meeting in person for the first time in April when Yu Ting comes to the U.S. for book launch celebrations, and then reuniting again in June in Taipei for more events. I know it’ll feel like such a full-circle moment to return to Taiwan with this book in hand!
BM: What was your initial reaction to the cover?
EMS: Oh, I was—and am—obsessed. Yu Ting did an incredible job bringing our characters to life so endearingly—both Mr. Chow and his anthropomorphic, sleepy grocery store. I adore the playful nod to “Trader Chow’s.” She’s so inventive and such a master of visual Easter eggs—keep an eye out for recurring characters (both human and animal!) throughout the book.
As if that weren’t enough, the contrast between the jacket and the case cover underneath literally made me gasp. The whole scene feels like a celebration. There’s boba in Mr. Chow’s hands! Smiling faces on the lanterns and on the moon! A tiny dog tucked into the corner! Truly, what’s not to love?
BM: Do you have other books or projects coming up?
EMS: Yes! I’m so excited about what’s ahead. In September 2026, I have Disney’s Lilo & Stitch: Into the Volcano coming out—a chapter book that follows Lilo and Stitch on an adventure while introducing young readers to earth science and volcanology. I even visited Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with my big sister to do research for the book!
I also have another picture book on the way: The Lo Mein Loophole: A Sweet-and-Sour Tale of How Chinese Immigrants Found a Way—and Fed a Nation (Summer 2028, Penguin Workshop), the second book in my two-book deal. This one has been challenging in the best way. We wanted to honor the complex history of how a loophole in the Chinese Exclusion Act led to a boom in Chinese restaurants—something that still shapes American food culture today—while keeping the story accessible, child-centered, and contemporary. I’m so grateful to be working with Elizabeth again to bring this history to young readers.
About MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET Author Emily Sun Li
Emily Sun Li is a Chinese American children’s book writer with an MA in Children’s Literature and MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University. She began her career in education teaching high school English literature at the Taft School while earning her M.S.Ed. through the University of Pennsylvania’s Independent School Teaching Residency program. Afterwards, she taught elementary English in Kaohsiung, Taiwan as a Fulbright scholar. She studied creative writing and environmental science at Emory University, graduating summa cum laude.
Her nonfiction chapter book THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE FLUFFY: TRUE STORIES OF ANIMAL TROUBLEMAKERS released with Scholastic’s Clubs and Fairs division in Fall 2024, and her debut picture book MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET publishes in Spring 2026 with Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House in a two-book deal. Kirkus calls it “a visual delight—and vindication for night owls.” Her poetry is published by Button Poetry, Molecule, and Rigorous, and her writing has been recognized by the YoungArts Foundation, Voyage YA Journal, and the City of Boston. She has received support from the Fine Arts Work Center, the Key West Literary Seminar, Centrum, the Sue-Je Lee Gage Sunlit Residency for Human Rights and Social Justice, Tin House, and the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably procrasti-cleaning, drinking milk tea, or traveling. She is represented by Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary Agency. Instagram: @emilysunli, Website: https://emilysunli.com
Illustrator Interview with Yu Ting Cheng
Bicultural Mama (BM): What was the process like for you to get connected with the author’s manuscript?
Yu Ting Cheng (YTC): The moment I first read the story, I felt like I had traveled back in time, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr. Chow, together creating Taiwan’s first night market. Emily’s poetic imagination and the beauty of her words completely captivated me. Her whimsical myth about the birth of Shilin Night Market in Taipei touched me deeply. Having grown up visiting the Night Market countless times, this imaginative story touched me in a very personal way.
BM: What made you say “yes” to the story?
YTC: I see myself in Mr. Chow’s story. What resonates with me most is the powerful message it conveys: when he grew dissatisfied with his life, he actively sought change. By viewing things from different perspectives, listening to diverse opinions and voices, and being open to new experiences, life becomes richer and more interesting. Mr. Chow’s courageous attitude deeply encouraged me—it aligns closely with my own belief, too.
BM: What was the process like for developing and completing the illustrations?
YTC: While creating the illustrations, I visited night markets in Taipei and Taichung more times than I can count—definitely more than when I was growing up! Soaking in the vibrant energy of those markets was incredibly inspiring and provided a wealth of inspiration for my work.
The architecture and many details in the story are based on real scenes in Taiwan. For example, the night sky of Taipei 101 on the first page is based on Elephant Mountain in Taipei at night. I personally climbed this route and took photos as a reference for the illustrations.
I also did historical research on the oldest cinema near Shilin Night Market, which has since been demolished and is expected to be converted into a shopping mall in 2028. I really enjoyed the process of conducting these field studies and collecting information, and then using my imagination to transform them into illustrations.
BM: Can you tell us about the process of illustrating the cover?
YTC: My cover idea is based on the sketch above: a sleepy Big Chow yawning on the rooftop of his market. Everyone is trying to wake him— the grumpy morning sun peeking over the horizon, birds chirping energetically, the family dog playfully holding a tanghulu in its mouth, and even the market itself coming alive with gentle activity.
After completing this sketch, I decided it would be fun to create a contrasting nighttime version for the jacket. Here, a cheerful, smiling moon lights up a bustling night market, filled with crowds of happy people enjoying the fun. Mr. Chow is drinking bubble tea on the rooftop of the market—wide awake, eyes sparkling with excitement, and beaming with pure joy as he fully embraces the vibrant nighttime atmosphere.
BM: What do you love most about how the cover turned out?
YTC: I love how the illustrations capture the magical day-to-night transition.
In the morning scene, the street is filled with people rushing about, while Mr. Chow remains drowsy and half-asleep. His grandchildren, along with the family dog and chirping sparrows, playfully wake him up.
By night, Mr. Chow’s quiet market transforms into a vibrant night market. Colorful stands and stalls spring up all around, turning the street into a lively hub of energy. Bouncing awnings flap overhead, cheerful neon lights glow from shop windows, and crowds of happy people gather to enjoy the fun—sampling fried oysters, biting into sweet tanghulu, sipping bubble tea, trying their luck at ring toss and fish-catching games, and carrying home those classic Taiwanese shopping bags.
BM: Do you have any books or projects coming up?
YTC: Yes, I’m excitedly working on a bilingual (Mandarin/English) children’s book that brings classic poems from the Tang dynasty to life, complete with their English translations. These are the very poems my parents used to recite to me as a child—often as comforting audio memories that carried so much rhythm and warmth—and it feels deeply meaningful to visualize them through my illustrations. I can’t wait to show this special bridge across generations, cultures, and languages!
About MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET Illustrator Yu Ting Cheng
Yu Ting Cheng is a Taiwanese illustrator with an MFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts in New York. After years working in animation in the United States, she returned home to Taiwan, where she now devotes herself to creating children’s books.
Through her illustrations, she shares a gentle storytelling magic with young readers. Notable titles include MY NAME IS AI LIN (Starred Review, School Library Journal) and MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET.
Deeply moved by questions of identity, everyday wonder, and the quiet beauty of small moments, Yu Ting’s illustrations spark curiosity and remind us that the smallest details often hold the brightest magic.
Instagram: @yutina.art, Website: https://www.yuting-art.com
Where to Find MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET
MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET is available wherever books are sold online and in stores. Find it on Amazon and other retailers noted on the Penguin Random House website.
I highly recommend this book for its cultural richness, universal themes, and gorgeous illustrations. Ideal for children ages 3-7 years old, MR. CHOW’S NIGHT MARKET would make an ideal gift for young readers and would be a great addition to any classroom!