Read our Stories of Cities, Cities of Stories virtual residents’ wonderful picture book, exploring shared community, the use of fabrics from all over the world and the seasons turning.

National Centre for Writing and Jakarta UNESCO City of Literature completed a virtual residency exchange in April-May 2023 for children’s writers and illustrators to reflect on their own creative practice and learn more about the ecosystem for children’s books in each city. Author Amanda Addison and scientist and illustrator Hsuan Pai worked together to produce this beautiful book, inspired by their mutual interest in the natural world and fabrics.

Hear more about Amanda and Hsuan’s residency at our free online Meet the World event →

Amanda and Hsuan’s residencies are supported by the International Literature Showcase Collaboration Fund. The International Literature Showcase is a partnership between the National Centre for Writing and the British Council.

Take a look at their wonderful writing and illustrations below.

This project is seeking publication.

Amanda Addison is an award-winning author listed for prizes in both adult and children’s fiction. Her short story, The English Way, was selected to represent the UK in a pan European award. Boundless Sky, Amanda’s debut picture book, was listed for The CLIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medal. Most recently her upcoming coming-of-age novel, Where are you really from? – publishing with Neem Tree Press in early 2024– was listed for the Searchlight Writing novel opening award.

She is inspired by the natural world, travel and textiles and often explores themes of home and belonging. She is passionate about inclusivity and diversity in publishing and telling untold stories depicting characters from the Global Majority.

Amanda lectures in Art & Design and also runs workshops in Creative Writing at Norwich City College, Norfolk Museums Service and the National Centre for Writing. Her first degree is in Illustration from Chelsea School of Art and she holds an MA in Writing the Visual.

Hsuan Pai is a scientist with a background in molecular plant and microbial biology. She spent a decade working in a plant virus lab at Academia Sinica in Taiwan before becoming a technician at The Sainsbury Laboratory. At her job, she assists the team in deciphering plant immune networks. Outside of academia, Hsuan is passionate about drawing and handcrafting, often drawing inspiration from how the living things work. Since moving to Norwich in 2020, she has found great inspiration in the city’s history and natural beauty. Combining her love for science and illustration, she is interested in using illustrations to communicate scientific concepts. To further develop her storytelling skills, she is currently pursuing a degree in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art.