MY NAME IS AI LIN Book Launch Highlights

The book launch for my second children’s book, MY NAME IS AI LIN, has been quite a journey! It launched on July 1, 2025, via Sleeping Bear Press. Until recently, the book was still receiving reviews and promotions, so I waited to do my book launch highlights until now. I find it helpful to do a post-launch wrap-up so that I can always look back for future reference. I did a wrap-up summary for my debut book, IT’S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE, and it serves as a reminder of how and where I can promote my future books.

Book Launch Party

This past July, I held the MY NAME IS AI LIN book launch party at Huntington Public Library in Huntington, New York. Holding it at this venue was especially meaningful for me since I work at this library. About 75 people attended, including relatives from both sides of my family. I did a book reading that engaged with the children in the audience. Afterwards, the children did crafts and other activities related to the book. Thank you to the staff at Huntington Public Library for supporting me and my book launch!

Literary Book Reviews

STARRED REVIEW from School Library Journal

MY NAME IS AI LIN received a coveted Starred Review from School Library Journal – the premiere publication for librarians who work with children and teens! School Library Journal is the trade magazine that librarians typically use to determine which books to add to their collections. I love that the last line of the review, which stated, “VERDICT: This charming book about a girl navigating new situations belongs in every collection.” I’m thrilled!

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews published a glowing review for MY NAME IS AI LIN! Kirkus called the book “an empowering celebration of identity.” I’m so grateful for the positive review from this esteemed publication. According to the Kirkus website, “Kirkus Collections helps librarians build and continually update collections…all selections are recommended not only for their thematic match and reading experience, but also for their literary and artistic merit. Before being added to a list, the quality of the writing and/or illustration in each book must meet the discerning standards of Kirkus Reviews, the toughest and most authoritative voice in book recommendations since 1933.” Thank you, Kirkus Reviews!

Midwest Book Review

Midwest Book Review published its review of MY NAME IS AI LIN in its October 2025 issue, and it was a good review! Snippet: “A fine story of cultural identity, fitting in, making choices, and teaching others evolves, which will be perfect for picture book readers and adults seeking to transmit information about other cultures, words, heritage, and values.”

Story Monsters Ink Magazine

MY NAME IS AI LIN was reviewed in the November 2025 issue of Story Monsters Ink Magazine, the literary magazine for teachers, librarians, and parents. Find it on page 36 in the magazine. From the Review: “What’s in a name? Ai Lin’s classmates are about to learn that a name can be a person’s story, it’s special and unique, and it’s significant and often can have cultural connections. When her classmates can’t say her name properly and ask if they can call her Eileen, Ai Lin explains that Ai means “love” and Lin means “gem” in Chinese. Her name is part of her identity and has ties to her family and its traditions. Along with expressive illustrations, the story teaches us to make the effort to say someone’s name correctly, and includes Chinese naming traditions and the author’s personal connection in the back.” So glad to have another positive review!

Media Mentions

Newsday

Newsday Books Section Highlights 7/6/25 and 9/28/25

New York Family Magazine

Michigan Alum Magazine

The Author’s Guild

“Authors Guild Member Spotlight“

The Detroit Free Press Newspaper

School Library Journal

“Not Just Books – A Jump Start | Great Books”

Author Visits & Events

Boys & Girls Club

Oyster Bay, New York

Plymouth Public Library

Plymouth, Michigan

Barnes & Noble

Huntington, New York

Northport Public Library

Northport, New York

NerdCampLI

NerdCampLI Educators Conference in Uniondale, New York

West End Elementary School

Lynbrook, New York

Support from Non-Profit Organizations

SCBWI Long Island Kid LIt News

Library Pass

“New Additions to Comic Plus: Summer 2025”

Comics Plus

“Individual Development, Identity, and Comics Classroom Connections”

Read Your World

Read Your World Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Guest Panelist

Read Your World Instagram Live Interview

Multicultural Kid Blogs

MY NAME IS AI LIN – Interview with Author Maria Wen Adcock

Teach AAPI

TeachAAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander)

Moss Kids

MY NAME IS AI LIN was included in the September Supplemental Booklist under the theme “Powerful Names” by MOSS Kids, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve our youth, providing them with an accessible wealth of diverse and inclusive literary works.

Pacific Northwest Book Awards

MY NAME IS AI LIN was displayed at the Pacific Northwest Book Awards in Spokane, Washington [Photo: Michelle Jing Chan]

MY NAME IS AI LIN Classroom and Home Activities for Kids

Lingo Buddies

Activities that Celebrate Identity by Lingo Buddies: A collection of free and book-inspired printable activities that pair perfectly with My Name Is Ai Lin—ideal for classrooms, libraries, homeschool, bilingual families, author visits, and culture-themed lessons.

Globe Trottin’ Kids

MY NAME IS AI LIN Book Review & Activities

Influencers and Authors

Pragmatic Mom Blog by Author Mia Wenjen

“Books About the Importance of One’s Name”

Rising Stars Blog by Author Amanda Davis

“#RisingStarsInKidLit Spotlight Series: Maria Wen Adcock“

Miss Panda Chinese Website by Author, Teacher, and Influencer
Amanda Hsiung Blodgett

“Maria Wen Adcock Author of MY NAME IS AI LIN – Author Interview“

Green Cow Books Website by Author Karen Yee

Review of MY NAME IS AI LIN from Green Cow Books Bilingual Cantonese Englisk Kids Books

Crafty Moms Share Blog

“MY NAME IS AI LIN – New Picture Book Review“

Vivian Kirkfield Blog – Children’s Author & Educator

“Happy Book Birthday: MY NAME IS AI LIN”

Kidlit411 Blog by Author Sylvia Liu

“The Weekly 411: MY NAME IS AI LIN Picture Book Giveaway”

Seasons of Kidlit Blog by Authors Heather Macht and Lynne Marie

“Head Back to School with Maria Wen Adcock”

Raising Diverse Stories with Author Aditi W. Singh

“Saturday Shout-Out with MY NAME IS AI LIN”

Writer-Reader-Teacher Blog by Author Jan Milusich

“MY NAME IS AI LIN Book Review”

MaiStoryBook by Influencer, Artist, and Teacher Maya Lê

“Books to Validate All Names”

We Doodle in the Margins

“We Doodle in the Margins is a monthly IG Live Talk Show on @wedoodleinthemargins where we interview kidlit creators from marginalized backgrounds—all while drawing live! Our guest is author @biculturalmama (Maria Wen Adcock), who will be talking about her writing process and the inspiration for her newest book, MY NAME IS AI LIN (illustrated by Yu Chen Ting)”

Susanna Leonard Hill Author Blog

“Picture Perfect Book Friday – My Name Is Ai Lin”

Literary Consultant JoEllen McCarthy

MY NAME IS AI LIN Feature on TikTok

Writing and Illustrating Blog by Author and Consultant Kathleen Temean

“Book Giveaway: MY NAME IS AI LIN by Maria Wen Adcock”

MY NAME IS AI LIN Author Visit Information

View Author Visit Information for Maria Wen Adcock

Thank You!

A book launch is a huge endeavor for an author, so thank you to everyone who supported me with MY NAME IS AI LIN! My SCBWI Long Island critique group has been invaluable in providing feedback on my manuscripts. The Adcock and Wen families have been supportive of my author journey. Thank you to Sleeping Bear Press for believing in my book and publishing it, and to Yu Ting Chen for creating beautiful illustrations that captured the essence of the story. Thank you also to all the Influencers, authors, friends, organizations, and media for supporting MY NAME IS AI LIN!