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More About Patricia Tanumihardja (She/Her)

Patricia (Pat) Tanumihardja grew up a third culture kid, forever curious about the world around her and her place in it. Born in Jakarta and raised in Singapore, her Chinese Indonesian parents encouraged her appetites for both delicious foods and good books. As a writer, Pat’s work explores food, culture, and self. Her fun, heartwarming stories often echo her lived experiences buoyed by universal themes. Her debut children's book “Ramen for Everyone” was a JLG Gold Selection, and was soon followed by “Jimmy’s Shoes” and “The Sugar Plum Bakers.” Her latest, “Monkey’s Sweet Surprise,” launched in December 2025. Today, Pat writes both children’s books and cookbooks from her home in Northern Virginia where she lives with her husband and son. Don’t be shy to hit her up for some favorite recipes!

You can find Patricia online at:

ediblewords.com

Instagram I Facebook I Bluesky

Ramen for Everyone read aloud with Patricia Tanumihardja

Patricia’s strengths include…

In-depth knowledge of the picture book format
Tweaking and refining your text to its best
Brainstorming and helping you come up with ideas for your story
Finding ways that text and art can play together
Providing feedback that is honest, specific, and actionable

What Patricia is looking for…

Pat would love to work with a mentee who is seriously pursuing a career as a traditionally-published author and is willing to work hard to fulfill their dream. She hopes to work with someone who has taken the time to learn and grow as a creator, and is actively honing their craft. Pat is especially looking for someone wanting to work on a manuscript with humor and heart, and also demonstrates some out-of-the-box thinking.

Pat’s ideal mentee is of the mindset that being a children's author is not just about writing. An author who accepts marketing and promotion as part of the job, and also engages with community, both within the children's and the larger community.

Pat is looking for someone who may be a little scrappy and is willing to do things a little differently. This someone is creative not just on the page, but off it too. Pat will work with her mentee on all aspects of children’s publishing, from craft, to querying and submissions, to getting an agent, as well as the business of publishing including contracts and marketing.

Above all, Pat hopes she can connect with her mentee on a personal level to form a bond that goes beyond this mentorship.

A Note from Patricia:

“Every author's journey is different but if I could give some tips, they are:

1. Read as many picture books as possible, including ones that are not necessarily in the genre you want to write in. You still might get ideas or learn about structures that would work for your project. Plus, I believe in reading osmosis, haha!

2. Find your tribe. Writing can be a solitary endeavor but having a group of like-minded writer friends--who may or may not be critique partners--will provide an essential support network to keep you going. They will cheer you on when you succeed and they will raise you up when you're down.”

Patricia’s Picture Books

*Jimmy's Shoes: The Story of Jimmy Choo, Shoemaker to a Princess,* written by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Derek Desierto

*Monkey’s Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up,* written by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Bonnie Lui

*Ramen for Everyone,* written by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Shiho Pate

*The Sugar Plum Bakers: A Tale of 12 Holiday Treats,* written by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Bonnie Lui

If Patricia created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…

*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.