Story Time: Fried Rice Surprise!
Featured Book
Fried Rice Surprise
Fern loves opening her lunchbox—sometimes it holds something colorful, sometimes sweet and spicy, but always delicious. When she learns about the Japanese tradition of “mottainai”—never wasting what’s too good to throw away—Fern is inspired to create a meal to share with her friends. Together with her mama, she stirs up a wok of fried rice filled with everyone’s favorite flavors: curry spices, carnitas, pilaf, bok choy, and more. With lively, joyful illustrations by Shiho Pate and a heartfelt story by Patricia Tanumihardja, this picture book celebrates food, friendship, and the magic that happens when different ingredients—and people—come together.
This book will be available for purchase at the event.
About This Event
Join us for an author story time event as Pat Tanumihardja reads her brand new picture book *Fried Rice Surprise!* Take part in an interactive reading perfect for ages pre-K through 3rd, and a book signing will take place after the reading.
A joyful celebration of food, friendship, and culture, Fried Rice Surprise shows how a little bit of this and a little bit of that can create something magical! Free to attend, no RSVP required.
Featured Author
Patricia Tanumihardja
Patricia Tanumihardja was born in Jakarta to Chinese-Indonesian parents and grew up in Singapore, where she developed a lifelong love of food and storytelling. She is the author of several cookbooks highlighting pan-Asian flavors as well as children’s picture books that celebrate the connections between food, culture, and community, including Ramen for Everyone and Fried Rice Surprise. She now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and son, where she continues to write and cook with equal passion.
About the Venue
Bards Alley
Bards Alley is a woman-owned independent bookstore located in the heart of Vienna, VA. Focused on new books, Bards Alley is a general interest store with adult and kid's titles, from general fiction, to history, to sci-fi/fantasy and horror, we hope to appeal to all readers with our curated shelves and knowledgeable staff. The store hosts authors on-site and off-site year-round, with new, free events posted frequently on our website, Instagram, and Facebook. Bards Alley will be moving in January 2027, just up the street to 103 Church St. NE - updates and dates to be added to our website and social media.
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