Q&A with Hannah Chung

 

Photo by Cat Laine

 

Hannah Chung is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book Bread Days. She also has created the picture book The Most Perfect Persimmon. She is also an adjunct professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, and she lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and in Seoul, South Korea.

 

Q: How did your late dad inspire the creation of Bread Days?

 

A: My dad loved baking bread. He even had a sourdough starter named Paolo! Every loaf had its own personality, and I could feel his love in each slice. Even before I became an author-illustrator, I wanted to write about our Bread Days and the special bond he had with Paolo.

 

Three years after he passed, it finally felt like the right time to tell this story. I learned to bake sourdough using his journal and tools, keeping the ritual alive. I named my starter Paoliño—little Paolo. Baking became my way of holding onto those memories and keeping his love alive.

 

Q: How did you create your character Nara?

 

A: Nara represents so many moments from my own grieving process. She is resilient, hopeful, and brave. Caring for my own starter helped me connect with her even more.

 

I thought a lot about how she might respond as she navigates grief—what would bring her hope, and how she would lean into her bravery. Through Nara, I wanted to show that starting something anew takes courage—and that courage is beautiful.

 

Q: The Booklist review of the book says, “This is a wonderful book for children who are dealing with the aftermath of a familial loss. While it features a heavy topic, it’s done in a way that is light and shows how life goes on.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I appreciate this review. It exactly captures what I hoped for. Grief is a natural part of our lives, and the legacies of our loved ones live on in the memories, small moments, and rituals we hold onto. I hope this book gives readers a comforting, safe space to explore their feelings, especially during life’s big changes.

 

Q: Do you have a favorite kind of bread to bake?

 

A: I bake sourdough all the time, usually with little designs on top. My starter is almost two years old now, and it has a gentle personality. The loaves always come out fluffy, golden brown, and just a little bit sour.

 

The next bread I want to make is a cheesy Gruyère loaf my dad used to bake. It looked like a delicious, bubbling volcano. I’d love for all my readers to try baking bread someday!

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: My next book explores family dynamics and all the feelings that come with them—excitement, doubt, conflict, and joy. It might be a little longer, with lots of illustrations. I can’t wait to share more when it’s ready!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Hannah Chung.