Alan Woo was born in England and raised in Vancouver where he continues to live. His writing and poetry have appeared in Ricepaper magazine and Quills Canadian Poetry Magazine. Woo finds inspiration in his Chinese-Canadian heritage. Woo is also a teen librarian working in Surrey Libraries.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Cemetery Game
Illustrated by Rachel Wada.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2026.
Forthcoming Oct. 2026
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
A young boy and his family arrive at the cemetery to celebrate Ching Ming, the day they and many other families remember and honor their ancestors. For the boy, the rituals of the day feel like a game – the Cemetery Game. The family members bring flowers and special foods to the gravesites of their relatives. They light incense, burn play money and bow together. The boy and his sister even find time for a laugh, imagining themselves at a tea party for ghosts! But as their older brother reminds them, this day is important and they need to pay attention. After all, one day this will all be their responsibility.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
David Jumps In
Illustrated by Katty Maurey.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2020.
PZ7.W844 D39 2020
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
This lyrical tale, written in simple free verse, tells how a game with roots in ancient China — called elastic skip in this story — helps a boy find his footing on his first day at a new school.
It is David’s first day at his brand-new school. He doesn’t know anyone. At recess, he stands alone and watches the other children enjoying their activities on the playground, from practicing soccer moves and climbing monkey bars to playing hopscotch and daydreaming in the grass. Bundled deep inside David’s pocket is a string of rubber bands, knotted and ready for a game of elastic skip. But will anyone want to try that game? he wonders. Will anyone want to play with him?
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Maggie’s Chopsticks
Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2012.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Poor Maggie struggles to master her chopsticks — it seems nearly everyone around the dinner table has something to say about the “right” way to hold them! But when Father reminds her not to worry about everyone else, Maggie finally gets a grip on an important lesson.
Awards and Honours
2013 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize–BC Book Prizes (Winner)
2013 Best Children’s Books of the Year, Bank Street Children’s Book Committee (Ages 5-9 category)
2013 Best Books for Kids & Teens — Canadian Children’s Book Centre (Winner)
2014 Chocolate Lily Young Reader’s Choice Award (Finalist)
Links
Publisher Kids Can Press
“Any Way I Want: An Interview with Alan Woo” by Tze Liew in PRISM International (October 20, 2017)