Interview: Chloe Ito Ward— Chopsticks Are

Hi, friends!

This is a space for updates, musings, and chats with writers and others in the publishing community.

I’m so glad you’re here. Twice in one month! Hooray for March and for wonderful picture books!

I’m thrilled to welcome author Chloe Ito Ward to the blog! Chloe’s most recent book, Chopsticks Are, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield and published by Chronicle books, releases on March 31, 2026!

I’ve been a fan of Chloe’s writing since reading her picture book, Made for More, which is a beautiful, layered story about culture (Japanese, American, Hawaiian) and loving the skin you’re in. You can imagine my excitement when she agreed to come on the blog to talk about Chopsticks Are! This exploration of chopsticks, written in Chole’s lovely, lyrical style, is vibrant and bursting with fascinating information. Chloe and Lynn Scurfield make the history, cultural meaning, and numerous uses of chopsticks come alive!

So without further ado, let’s grab a cup of something yummy, get comfy…and dig in!

SR: Hi Chloe, welcome to the blog! I heard you say that you were inspired to write Chopsticks Are one day when your mom and Grandma were making breakfast. Could you tell us more about that? Why did you want to write about chopsticks?

CIW: I was at the kitchen table with my computer, looking out the window trying to find inspiration for my next picture book. I was struggling to focus, staring at our banana tree outside, wondering how many more months it would take for the bananas to ripen… so I turned away from the window toward the kitchen and noticed my mom and grandma making breakfast. They were scrambling eggs and frying Goteborg sausage, using chopsticks. As I watched that I realized, this is a moment that I bet a lot of people have experienced before, using chopsticks as a cooking utensil. It’s very common in my family BUT at the same time, I bet there is a large population of people who don’t know that there are a variety of uses for chopsticks besides just eating. I decided to write about chopsticks because they have such a deep history and meaning.

Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward, Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

SR: The book is written lyrically and so beautifully, AND it is also chock-full of factual information. What kind of research did you do? Was it an enjoyable part of the process?

CIW: I spent several months doing research for this book. I know a lot about chopsticks, but that information comes from family stories and friends, so I did a decent amount of fact checking and additional research. I reached out to experts at the National Museum of Asian Art, Wakasa Chopstick Museum, professors from NYU Shanghai, cooking educators, even a chopstick factory, just to name a few.

While I do love learning new information, it can be intimidating reaching out to professors and museum curators etc. I was very lucky because everyone I encountered was so helpful and kind.

SR: Lynn Scurfield's illustrations are so engaging! Detailed, vivid, colorful, and clever. How much collaboration was there between you and Lynn? Did you provide a lot of notes? Did she know what to illustrate because of the glossary?

CIW: With picture books typically the author and illustrator have very little contact during the illustration process. And I try to respect that because once an illustrator takes on a project it is no longer mine but ours, and I don’t want to hinder their creativity. I did include art notes on what food could be included. But those were just suggestions. Between the editors, sensitivity reader, Lynn and I, some foods stayed the same and others changed, it’s all a part of the process! A picture book is really a collaboration. I try not to use too many art notes but with manuscripts that are sort of vague or require cultural knowledge I tend to include them more. And I agree, the illustrations are incredible. I love the colors and perspectives used!

SR: So do I, and I loved hearing about the process, thank you!

Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward, Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

SR: Can you talk about a few of your favorite picture books to read as an author, a kindergarten teacher, and a mom?

And, do you have your books in your classroom? What do your students think about having a "famous author"  as a teacher?

CIW: I have so many favorite picture books! A few I’ve been reading lately are: Jeong is Jeong, Home is a Wish, Faith Takes the Train, Zombie and Brain are Friends, Don't Trust Fish, and The Zombees.

I taught kindergarten for over ten years and now I have a son, so my book collection is always growing. I have bookshelves, bins tucked under beds and in closets. I used to buy books every week at my local thrift store for only a quarter! I’ve stepped away from the classroom full time but I still substitute and volunteer in the library. Kids are usually shocked when they find out I’m a “real” author. It’s hard for them to connect the idea that I am a “regular” person who teaches in the classroom and also writes books.


SR: What advice would you give to aspiring authors in the earlier stages of their journeys?

CIW: I would say rejection is a part of the process, learn to pivot, and keep writing. For every ten books I write, I sell maybe one to a publisher.

Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward, Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

SR: What's coming next for you?

CIW: I’ll be at the American Library Association this June and I’ll be speaking at the Joint Council of Librarians of Color in October. I have another picture book coming out this summer, ALL THE WAYS WE LEARN with Penguin Random House. And I have several books coming out next year, MY MIND IS AN OCEAN with Simon and Schuster and YUQI’S SPECIAL DELIVERY with Peachtree. I also have a few unannounced projects that I can’t wait to share!

And now for a LIGHTNING ROUND:

1) Favorite food

 My ultimate favorite dish is hidden in Chopsticks Are… so readers will have to check it out to see! But my second favorite food is either sushi or street tacos.

2) A book, TV show, or movie that you can't stop recommending to people (just one, or all three!)

Bing's Cherries, written by Livia Blackburne and illustrated by Julia Kuo. It was recently published and I love the story, the limited color palette, and illustration style. It's perfect for a home or classroom library!

3) I know that Kauaʻi, Hawaii is special to you. Best thing about it?

It’s probably the people. When my grandma’s car broke down no less than 15 people offered to help, giving us bottles of water, offering to drive us somewhere, calling a tow truck etc. Community care is a big thing here. The food is also great. I love fresh poke or a macnut pancake. And of course, the ocean! My family loves to swim and play at the beach.

Where you can find Chloe Ito Ward:

Website: chloeitoward.com

Social media:

Instagram: chloeitoward

Bluesky: chloeitoward

Help support Chloe, Chopsticks Are, and all of her books!

🥢 Follow Chloe on social media.

🥢 Buy the book for yourself, a friend or family member, a teacher or school library.

🥢 Review the book on Goodreads, Amazon, Indigo, Bookshop.org, etc.

🥢 Tell your local library about Chopsticks Are and ask them to purchase it.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO CHLOE, AND THANK YOU FOR READING!

If you have a moment, drop a comment! I’d love to hear your favorite takeaway.