A Handcrafted Tale from Moms, for Children

A Handcrafted Tale from Moms, for Children

This coming November, my first children’s book, “Our Treehouse,” will be published. It’s not only a personal milestone but also the debut publication of Mom’s Playground, a book club I started with three talented artist mothers. This project is more than just a creative venture—it's a heartfelt collaboration born out of motherhood, artistry, and deep care for storytelling.
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Although “Our Treehouse” is intended for children, it carries the dreams and values of adults—friendship, imagination, nature, and community. I painted all the illustrations by hand using watercolors, pouring countless hours and emotion into every page. These days, artificial intelligence can generate stunning illustrations in mere seconds, and the top two images here are examples of that. But when placed next to my hand-painted pages, one can sense an undeniable difference--a warmth, sincerity, and human touch that technology cannot replicate

This book was born from a desire to give our children stories that reflect love, patience, and personal attention. We didn’t rely on machines. Instead, we gathered, brainstormed, painted, and wrote together—just like in the spirit of a real treehouse: built with love, piece by piece.

The story itself revolves around children building a treehouse, weaving themes of imagination, collaboration, and belonging. It was created through the combined efforts of three writers, one illustrator (myself), and many heartfelt discussions among mothers.

Thanks to the support of a local library curator, this project will meet the public for the first time through an exhibition  in November. It’s a moment we’re incredibly proud of.

Mom’s Playground plans to continue creating hand-crafted storybooks and educational materials that inspire meaningful connections between parents and children. In a world where automation is fast becoming the norm, we believe there’s still something precious in showing children a story made lovingly by hand. And this is just the beginning.

The Our Treehouse project didn’t come to life overnight. It has been a long journey, filled with small, meaningful steps that led me to this dream. One of those early steps was exhibiting my watercolor artwork at local libraries. Long before the idea of publishing a book became concrete, I felt a deep desire to share heartfelt stories through paintings with children, parents, and members of my community.
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These exhibitions weren’t just about displaying art—they were about connecting through creativity. I cherished seeing children stand before my paintings, letting their imaginations run wild. That quiet interaction between my art and the viewers reminded me that this was more than visual expression—it was an emotional bridge between people, generations, and stories.

Over the years, these efforts planted the seed for something greater. And now, with Our Treehouse, I feel that those years of patience, passion, and community engagement have blossomed into something truly meaningful. I am deeply grateful for this journey and remain committed to sharing art that brings people together in heartfelt ways.
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