Grace Lin 2024

An idea born from the generosity and creativity of acclaimed author and illustrator, Grace Lin, Good Fortune: Original Paintings by Grace Lin is a year-long project to raise funds in celebration of We Need Diverse Books's tenth anniversary. Every month, Grace Lin will create an original work of art based on a fortune cookie, and we will auction it off here. The auction will go live at noon ET on the first of the month and allow bidding for 5 days, concluding at noon ET on the 5th of the month. All proceeds will benefit We Need Diverse Books, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Grace Lin, a New York Times bestselling author/ illustrator, won the Newbery Honor for "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" and the Theodor Geisel Honor for "Ling and Ting." Her novel "When the Sea Turned to Silver" was a National Book Award Finalist and her picture book, "A Big Mooncake for Little Star" was awarded the Caldecott Honor. Grace is also an occasional commentator for New England Public Radio, a reviewer for the NY Times, a video essayist for PBS NewsHour, and the speaker of the popular TEDx talk, "The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child's Bookshelf," as well as the co-host of the Book Friends Forever podcast. In 2016, Grace's art was displayed at the White House where Grace, herself, was recognized by President Obama's office as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling. In 2022, Grace was awarded the Children's Literature Legacy Award from the American Library Association.

In 2014, We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) began as a simple hashtag on Twitter. We are writers and illustrators, publishing professionals, book bloggers and book lovers, librarians, parents, and educators, all united under the same goal - to create a world in which everyone can find themselves in the pages of a book. 

To accomplish this mission, WNDB upholds a clear theory of change. We believe that strengthening the presence of diverse voices across the publishing industry and among consumers, including educators and librarians, will create the supply and demand to put more diverse books into the hands of readers nationwide. 

WNDB has grown from a grassroots movement into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to combat systemic racism and teach empathy. Our initiatives seek to challenge the book bans sweeping our nation, distribute diverse books to students across the country, and support diverse creators, publishing professionals, educators - and the young readers who will lead for generations to come.

*Please note: auction is to win a physical piece of original art. All rights, including copyright, reproduction, and digital rights are retained by Grace Lin.