A NAME FOR SISTER Cover Reveal and Author Interview with Charlotte Cheng

For authors, one of the most exciting milestones of a book’s journey is the cover reveal. As such, I’m thrilled that author Charlotte Cheng has trusted Bicultural Mama with the cover reveal of her picture book A Name for Sister [HarperCollins]. Beautifully illustrated by Sophie Diao, A Name for Sister (ages 4-8 years) will be released on March 3, 2026, and is available for pre-order now.

Here’s the publisher’s book description:

When Sister was born, she had toes like grains of rice. She had hair as dark as sesame sweets . . . But she had no name. 

Only a name as passionate and graceful as Fire, honest and stable as Earth, strong and ambitious as Gold, bright and wise as Water, and creative and prosperous as Wood could fit a baby like Sister.

Discover how a young girl and her family find the perfect name in this magical, whimsical and stunning ode to Chinese tradition and sisterly bonds. This sweet tale is one that growing families will treasure.

Charlotte Cheng (Roar-Choo!, Night Market Rescue) and New York Times bestselling illustrator Sophie Diao (I Am Golden, Tiny Troubles) dazzle in this unforgettable collaboration that is a perfect baby shower and birthday gift, a wonderful bedtime read, a positive story for big siblings welcoming a new baby to the family, and a great pick for fans of Alma and How She Got Her Name and Little Miss, Big Sis.

Cover Reveal of A Name for Sister

Introducing the cover of A Name for Sister! The cover features the main characters – big sister with little sisters – as the five spirits look on. In the interview below, Charlotte Cheng speaks more about the mythology included in the book, her reactions to the cover, and so much more. Read on to get a behind-the-scenes peek into the development of A Name for Sister.

Bicultural Mama (BM): What inspired you to write A Name for Sister? 

Charlotte Cheng (CC): When my daughter was born, I asked my parents to help me find a Chinese name for her. They shared how they consulted a fortune teller to find the perfect name. It also made me more fascinated by how Chinese words are formed and how their meanings are often folded into the visuals of each word. I thought others would find this history and process interesting, so I decided to write a book about it!

BM: Are the 5 spirits mentioned in the story based on Chinese folklore, or did you create the idea of them yourself?

CC: The 5 spirits are inspired by Daoist beliefs that there are 5 key elements: wood, fire, metal, water, and earth. Much like people seek balance between Yin and Yang, Daoists also seek balance among these 5 elements. Each element has also been represented by mythological creatures, and these are creatures that represent each spirit in A Name for Sister. This includes a phoenix (fire), dragon (wood), black tortoise (water), white tiger (metal), and a qilin (earth). 

BM: Many Chinese words are pictorial in the sense that they reflect the item they are describing. In your book, Chinese words are included within the illustrations they represent. Why was this important for you?

There is so much history found within the strokes that create a single Chinese word. Some of the words even look like paintings or illustrations! One of my favorite examples is the traditional Chinese word for “listen,” which is 聽. Within this word is the symbol for “ear” (耳) and “heart”(心), and it’s a reminder that we need to listen with our hearts. 

I hope that adding these pictorials within the illustrations will help others appreciate the beauty and meaning behind Chinese words. Furthermore, for parents and children of Chinese heritage, I hope that A Name for Sister is a way for them to appreciate the heritage of their language. 

BM: What were your thoughts when you first saw the cover? 

CC: I was wondering how Sophie Diao (the illustrator) was going to be able to fit so many of the characters from this book into a single image. There’s a girl, her new baby sister, the 5 spirits, and so much more. Of course, Sophie was such a creative problem solver and created a cover that still centers on the main focus of the book – a new baby sister – while still hinting at the elemental magic that we’ll find inside. To me, the cover was almost like a movie poster – it made me want to open the book and discover what the story was about!

BM: What was the process like working with the publishing team? 

CC: As always, I love the collaborative process of working with the publishing team! This book was especially interesting as we went back and forth to make sure each Chinese character and word was accurately depicted in the images. Some of the spreads were also challenging as we were trying to fit so much within a single image – from the family to the visiting spirit to the Chinese words. I loved seeing how we were able to lean on each other’s strengths and creative problem-solving to find solutions for each spread. The book is full of dynamic action, and I’m so happy with the result!

BM: What did you love the most about the illustrations? 

CC: Each character is so full of personality! From a white tiger spirit that leaps into the living room to the elderly yet lively fortune teller that guides us through the story. The book also feels like a movie – filled with interest, action, and suspense! Above all, I love how much Sophie was able to capture the budding relationship between a girl and her new baby sister. That connection is truly the heart of this book, and Sophie truly ties it all together with her gorgeous illustrations.

BM: Do you have any books or projects coming up?  

CC: My book, Icy Fruit, illustrated by Vivian Mineker, just came out in May of this year, and it shares the story of how my grandfather started a popsicle company. I also have a book called Ama’s Purse, illustrated by Xindi Yan, coming out later this year. It follows a girl as she discovers the magic that can be found in her grandmother’s purse during a family road trip. You can sign up for my newsletter at www.charlotte.art or follow me on social media to stay updated about these books.

Where to Find A Name for Sister

A Name for Sister is available online and in-store at booksellers nationwide, such as on Amazon (Hardcover and Audiobook). Find the full list on the publisher’s website at HarperCollins.com.

About Charlotte Cheng

Charlotte Cheng has written and illustrated a variety of books, including Night Market Rescue, Roar Choo, Icy Fruit, A Name for Sister (March 2026), 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. She hosts the EdTech Adventures podcast, which explores the role of technology, STEM, and creative play in education. You can learn more about Charlotte’s work at www.charlotte.art. Follow Charlotte on social media on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.