Lorian Tu is an author and illustrator of children's books.
[2] Tu's We Are a Song (Harper, 2023), which she both wrote and illustrated, was inspired by her desire to explore her own multiracial background.
[3] The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and Round (Orchard/Scholastic, 2021), written by Wendy Wan-Long Shang and illustrated by Tu, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, which said, "Tu’s illustrations elevate the joyful tone with brightly colored cartoons filled with textures and lively details".
[4] Of We Are a Song, Kirkus Reviews said, "The story engages the senses, whether it’s the sound of oil in Amah’s wok going “ping-ping-ping,” the scent of Tía's pastries, or the sensation of a falling petal fluttering on Arturo's face like Mama's kisses.
All these moments help evoke a relatable feeling of familial love".