In the mood for some belly laughs? You’re in luck! We’re thrilled that Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, Maisie Chan’s fantastic debut Middle Grade novel, is released today in the UK by Piccadilly Press / Bonnier Books.
With fantastic illustrations throughout by the talented Anh Cao, this book is a treat for anyone in need of some comic relief. We’re introduced to art-loving, maths-loathing Danny, who’s in for a summer to remember when an unexpected guest shows up slap-bang in the middle of his bedroom…
A warmhearted and funny novel about family, friends and finding your own voice
Eleven-year-old Danny Chung loves drawing more than anything – certainly more than maths, which, according to his dad and everyone else, is what he is ‘supposed’ to be good at. He also loves having his own room where he can draw in peace, so his life is turned upside down when a surprise that he’s been promised turns out to be his little, wrinkly, ex-maths champion grandmother from China. What’s worse, Nai Nai has to share his room, AND she takes the top bunk!
Nai Nai can’t speak a word of English, which doesn’t make things easy for Danny when he is charged with looking after her during his school holidays. Babysitting Nai Nai is NOT what he wants to be doing!
Before long though it becomes clear to Danny that there is more to Nai Nai than meets the eye, and that they have more in common that he thought possible …
The book is already a huge hit with early readers, with author Katie Tsang calling it a “wonderful” read “full of heart and humour”, and BookTrust praising the “unforgettable characters”. And, not one to sit still, Maisie’s been having heaps of fun in the lead-up to release day. We’re super jealous of whoever manages to snag this pre-order prize, complete with art prints, stickers and engraved chopsticks!
https://twitter.com/MaisieWrites/status/1391453800850989059
She also featured on the Birmingham Lit Fest podcast, where she touched on the lack of British Chinese representation in children’s books, and the thrilling (and hectic) experience of being a debut author juggling several different projects.
Maisie Chan is a children’s author from Birmingham. She has written early readers (Hachette) and had short stories published in various books such as Ladybird Tales of Superheroes (Penguin) and Stories From Around the World (Scholastic). In 2018, she started the Bubble Tea Writers to support and encourage new British East Asian writers in the UK.
She enjoys writing cross-cultural tales that often feature generational misunderstandings; this is partly due to her background as a transracial adoptee and her experience caring for her elderly parents. She has a Masters in American Film and Literature and has an interest in race and representation.
She currently lives in Glasgow and is on the Writers Advisory Board for Literature Alliance Scotland.
Congratulations, Maisie! We hope you enjoy today as much as your readers surely will!
