Wai Chim

Author

Wai Chim Author

About

Wai Chim is the Chinese-American-Australian author of a number of children’s and YA titles, including the Chook Chook series, Freedom Swimmer and most recently The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling, which was a Kirkus Prize Finalist in the US and was Shortlisted for the Prime Minister Literary Awards in 2020.

She appeared as a contestant on Australian Survivor: Brains vs Brawn.

Born to immigrant parents in New York, Wai grew up speaking Cantonese at home and brings a lot of her diasporic identity into her work . She spent some time living in Japan before making Australia her permanent home. In addition to writing, Wai works as a Business System Analyst for The Starlight Children's Foundation. She currently lives in Sydney with her husband and beloved cat, Freddie.

Wai Chim Author

Last-Place Lin

illustrated by Freda Chiu
Out August 2023
Last -lace Lin

Lin's excited about her first school sports day until she comes last. A relatable picture book about endurance and resilience from the award-winning author and Australian Survivor contestant, Wai Chim.

It's Sports Day! Everyone has a different House colour.
I'm in the Red House. Go Red!
It's time for the sack race. On your marks, get set, go!
But not everyone can come first.
Sometimes winning means finishing, even if you finish last.

A reassuring celebration of the spirit to keep going, from award-winning author Wai Chim and acclaimed illustrator Freda Chiu.

'An uplifting tale of why your best is enough … Brilliant.' Hayley Leake, 2021 winner of Australian Survivor: Brains v Brawn

Books

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling

Winner Indie Books Awards
Finalist Kirkus Prize
Shortlist Prime Minister Literary Awards
Shortlist ABIA Awards
Shortlist Readings Young Adult Prize
Longlist CBCA Book of the Year

Freedom Swimmer
Freedom Swimmer

Honoree Freeman Book Awards
Shortlist Readings Young Adult Prize
Shortlist Sakura Medal
Longlist CBCA Book of the Year
Highly Commended Victorian Premier Literary Awards

Shaozhen
Shaozhen: Through My Eyes - Natural Disaster Zones

Winner Education Publishing Awards

The Chook Chook Series
The Chook Chook Series
Hometown Haunts
Hometown Haunts
Wai Chim and Freddie