Marie Chan

Marie Chan writes picture books that highlight hidden figures in Asian American history. Being the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants inspired Marie to create a curriculum using diverse children’s books to amplify underrepresented voices and build cross-cultural awareness. Marie has a Master of Arts in Education, taught in Los Angeles County, and has served on the board of Pittsburgh Urban Christian School. She has volunteered extensively helping international students and refugees.

God has also given Marie diverse motherhood experiences through the international adoption of an older child, a biological child after years of struggling with infertility, and the unexpected stillbirth of her son. Marie shares how God transforms our valleys of hurt to doors of hope when we process our pain in the presence of Christ and community. She writes about grief and loss on her blog, calmmamabear.com.

Currently, Marie leads an adoption support group focused on trauma-informed parenting through Saddleback Church’s Initiative for Vulnerable Children. Marie lives in California with her husband, two children with a third in heaven, and their giant 12-pound rabbit. You can often find Marie at her local library checking out many diverse books.

Marie is a member of the Redbud Writers Guild, Entrusted Women, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Marie was awarded a BIPOC scholarship sponsored by Christopher Paul Curtis and SCBWI for her biography of Mamie Tape.

Marie is represented by literary agent Jevon Bolden, Embolden Media Group.
Photo credit: Jack Randall Photography