My Book News – Mia Wenjen

Cover reveal for The Traveling Taco by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong, and published by Red Comet Press.

An exploration of the history of kids’ favorite foods from around the world

From pizza to pasta and ice cream to French fries, some of our favorite foods have a surprising history, and many of them have traveled far from where they originated! Did you know many well-known dishes are food immigrants? The Al Pastor Taco traveled from Lebanon to Puebla, Mexico! French fries originated in Belgium! And pasta arrived in Italy long before Marco Polo visited China. This fascinating nonfiction book featuring rhyming text takes the reader on travels around the world to celebrate foods, their history, and surprising origins. Join Mia Wenjen for a fact-packed journey of discovery that will make your mouth water as you travel the unexpected road of some of our favorite foods. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Releases May 6, 2025. Pre-order here.

Kirkus reviews The Traveling Taco.

Picture Book Announcement: Fortune Cookies for Everyone by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage, and published by Red Comet Press.

Releases Fall 2025.

Picture Book Announcement: Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación, and published by Red Comet Press.

Releases Spring 2026.

Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown

I am thrilled to be making a picture book biography with Red Comet Press! Keith Henry Brown will illustrate! Publication is slated for 2024.

Releases January 2027.

My books:

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection