Children's author Maya Soetoro-Ng to appear at book event on Tuesday

First-time children’s author Maya Soetoro-Ng, an assistant professor in UH Mānoa’s College of Education and sister to President Obama, will read from her children’s picture book, “Ladder to the Moon,” on Tuesday, May 3, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the College of Education Collaboration Center (Wist 134). Pre-school and elementary school students from the UH Children’s Center and the Lab School will be in attendance. A book signing will follow the reading. The public is invited.

 

“Ladder to the Moon” was inspired by Soetoro-Ng’s daughter, Suhaila, asking questions about her grandmother, Ann Dunham, who is the mother of the author and President Obama. The lyrical story told in beautiful illustrations relays the loving wisdom of Dunham to the young granddaughter she never met. Award-winning artist Yuyi Morales illustrated the book.

 

As an assistant professor in the College of Education, Soetoro-Ng teaches multicultural education and the history of education. 

 

She and her husband, Konrad Ng, an assistant professor in the UH Mānoa Academy for Creative Media, live in Honolulu with their two daughters, Suhaila and Savita.

 

“Ladder to the Moon” will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

 

Media may access a sampling of the book at http://www.candlewick.com/ladderpreview. Soetoro-Ng will be available for media interviews from 1:45-2 p.m.