We Always Had Wings
Written by Jess X. Snow
Illustrated by Jess X. Snow
Published by Make Me a World
A stunning, mythology-inspired ode to the places and people who came before us as a girl embarks on her first visit to her mother’s hometown in China for Lunar New Year.
Little Snow can’t remember the last time she was on an airplane, and is afraid of the long journey from her big city to the vast Chinese countryside Mama comes from. To soothe her nerves, Mama tells Little Snow the story of how their ancestors travelled before borders and countries existed—flying through the skies as cranes. What follows is a tender story of reconnecting with family during the holidays and remembering the magic of who you are in this gorgeous picture book debut from author-illustrator Jess X. Snow.
Primary ISBN: 9780593428511
Publication Date: December 2025
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book , Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Chinese/Chinese American
Themes: Allegory, Animals, Celebrations, Celebrations: Lunar New Year, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Separation: Different Immigration Status, Generation: 1st, Identity: Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Setting: Home Country
Setting: North America, China
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation, Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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