Page 6 - MidWeek Windward - Jan 26, 2022

6 JANUARY 26, 2022
Windward Writer Will Hold Free Zoom Event On Feb. 2 To Discuss New Book
FROM PAGE 1
dren’s hospital in the Phil- ippines, wrote a pediatric textbook, and lived on the second floor of her hospital so she could see patients well into her 90s. How could the world, outside of Asia, not know about her?” Yee ex- plains.
ing reaching out to the Ra- mon Magsaysay Foundation and reading contemporary articles written by Mundo’s family, Filipino journalists and colleagues at the time of her death. At first, Yee struggled to find a narrative for the book, but slowly, the story took shape.
sensitive to young readers. I chose to focus on a message of hope and determination. Fe’s story resonates today, at a time when children face new challenges. Fe could not bear children suffering. She spoke up and did something,” Yee shares.
will be available on Feb. 1, and Tumblehome Books will hold a free Zoom event on Feb. 2, during which Yee will be talking about the book. Register online at tumble- homebooks.org.
to study at Harvard Medical School. Yee wrote and illus- trated the book with colorful, tender drawings that bring Mundo’s story to vivid life.
“I want children to see themselves in this heroine of color, and see that they are empowered to rise up and face any challenge.”
“Here was a woman of color who received multiple awards, cared for kids in an internment camp, sold her home to build the first chil-
Yee conducted extensive research for the book includ-
“As I dug deep-
er into the history of the Philippines during WWII, I found images and accounts of detainees at Santo Tomas, which guided my writing and art,” says Yee, who has written and/or illustrated 40 children’s books, primarily for local publishers.
The Angel of Santo Tomas
Tammy Yee (above) of Kāne‘ohe is releasing a new book in February, titled The Angel of Santo Tomas: The Story of Fe del Mundo (inset). PHOTOS COURTESY TAMMY YEE
Here’s how we
It took a year for Yee to write the manuscript and an- other nine months to complete the illustrations.
“I want children to see themselves in this heroine of color, and see that they are empowered to rise up and face any challenge. As they read this book, I would like to inspire them to pursue science and medicine in the service of humanity,” Yee says.
“One of the challenges was creating a book that dealt with serious topics that was
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