MY NAME IS AI LIN Interview with Illustrator Yu Ting Cheng

While doing author visits at schools, one of the most common questions students ask is, “Do you make the drawings for the book?” Though I would love to have professional art skills, alas, I do not. In traditional publishing, the publisher chooses illustrators and directs them. I am fortunate that for my new picture book, My Name Is Ai Lin (releases 7/1/25 via Sleeping Bear Press), the illustrator is the talented Yu Ting Cheng.

I love her artistic style, which fits perfectly with the tone of My Name Is Ai Lin. Yu Ting did a great job capturing the meaning of the story through the characters she drew, whether it be Ai Lin and her family or her classmates. Here is a description of the story:

“In this empowering story, one child shows that by making the effort to properly pronounce someone’s name, we send the welcoming message that everyone is worthy of respect and dignity.

When Ai Lin starts school, none of her classmates can say her name. The children make several attempts, but they still cannot pronounce it properly. They ask Ai Lin if they can just call her by another name. It’s not that important, right? But Ai Lin knows the significance of her Chinese name. No, it can’t be changed. Her name is part of her identity and heritage. Her name was chosen not only for what it means, but also for how it sounds. It ties her to her family—present and past—and to its traditions.

When Ai Lin shares her family history with her classmates, they come to understand that a name can be a person’s story, special and unique. Ai Lin’s name, and all that it means and stands for, is as personal as a fingerprint, as distinct as a snowflake.”

I had the opportunity to interview Yu Ting, who provided a behind-the-scenes look into creating the illustrations for My Name Is Ai Lin. Thank you, Yu Ting, for sharing your insights and sketches!

What made you say “yes” to doing the illustrations for MY NAME IS AI LIN?

Yu Ting Cheng (YTC): When I first read the script for My Name Is Ai Lin, I was deeply moved by its poetic beauty and the way it captured such universal emotions. Ai Lin’s journey—her struggles, her grit, and her belief that every name carries a story—really hit home for me. 

Growing up, I’ve had my own moments of feeling out of place, switching schools, moving multiple times, and later studying and working abroad. Those experiences shaped who I am. As soon as I finished reading the story, I immediately wanted to illustrate it! 

What was the process like for developing the illustrations with Sleeping Bear Press? How many months did it take to complete the illustrations?

(YTC): The design phase is always my favorite part of a project. Working with Sleeping Bear Press really helped bring the illustrations to life—especially during the early sketching stages. They were incredibly supportive and collaborative throughout the process.

It took me about a year to complete the illustrations, starting from the very beginning with character design. This included developing Ai Lin, her family, home, classmates, and classroom. I truly enjoyed every part of building this visual world.

There’s a fun little story from the early days: when I first sent over sketches of Ai Lin to the author, Maria, she noticed that Ai Lin was wearing a barrette on one side of her hair. She said, “That’s exactly how the real Ai Lin—my daughter—wears her hair!” Such a sweet and funny coincidence! 🙂

Can you tell us about the process of illustrating the book?

(YTC): I loved the process of creating the illustrations. When Ai Lin asks questions and speaks from the heart in the story, I often find myself reflecting on those same questions in my own life. It was inspiring, and in many ways, healing too. Those connections made illustrating this book feel so personal and meaningful, like I was bringing a piece of my own story to Ai Lin’s.

What do you love most about how the cover turned out?  

(YTC): The cover idea comes from one of the illustrations in the book—a classroom scene where Ai Lin is sharing her story with her classmates. This was actually one of the first illustrations I created while developing and shaping the art style for the book. I chose it because it feels like the emotional core of the story: every name carries a story, waiting to be told and remembered.

Do you have other books planned for the future?

(YTC): I’m currently illustrating a children’s book about a grandpa with a childlike heart, written by Emily Sun Lee. It is set to be published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, in 2026. It’s a heartwarming story that encourages readers to chase their dreams, embrace challenges, and stay passionate about life—no matter where they are.

Where to Purchase My Name Is Ai Lin

MY NAME IS AI LIN is now available for preorders until its launch date on July 1, 2025. Find it on Amazon (Kindle & Hardcover), the publisher’s website, and other online sites. After the book releases, shop in person for MY NAME IS AI LIN at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Books-a-Million. Please also consider independent booksellers such as Powell’s, Schuler Books, The Last Bookstore, and Literati Bookstore.

Illustrator’s Bio

Yu Ting Cheng is a Taiwanese illustrator. She graduated with an MFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts. Yu Ting spent several years working in the animation industry. She also created picture books and educational materials for children. She currently focuses on illustrating children’s books. 

Yu Ting loves exploring different ways to tell a story. She draws inspiration from her passion for storytelling and the everyday magic of life. She currently lives in Taiwan with her family. 

You can follow her on Instagram @yutina.art or visit her website: www.yuting-art.com.