As a group of avid readers in the LRP team we are very happy to have recently expanded our book offering online and in the showroom. We knew you would be interested in finding out more about some of the wonderful authors and illustrators who have created the ones we've selected. All books have a Hong Kong theme whether it be written or illustrated by someone who lives here or is about the city, the stories and the history of the place so many of us call home.
About You
My name is Sophie Paine, I am French, and had the opportunity to live in various places: Italy, USA, France, Shanghai and of course Hong Kong. My husband is English. I am passionate about languages, including a ‘funny’ language called accounting (my real job). We have two kids, now grown-ups, and we tried to raise them bilingual French / English. That’s where the story of the book Are You My Mummy? Es Tu Mon Papa? starts! We first went to HK in 1996 for our honeymoon and I was stunned by its verticality. Then as a family of 4, we lived in Hong Kong for 4 years and loved it: from the banana-boat to the dim sum, hiking in HK lush parks and islands, and the ease to travel in Mainland China and Asia. This is also where I wrote and had my first books published, I started my financial education company and I converted to Islam. So HK has a very special place in my heart.
Your Inspiration
As a mother raising bilingual kids, I could find books and online blogs with tons of advice for parents, but nothing from the point of view of a child. As my kids started to talk, they mixed both languages which is quite common, and one day one of my children asked whether his ‘Daddy’ was the same as his friends’ ‘papas’… that’s how the book started.
Favourite thing to do in Hong Kong
That’s a tough one… Dragon’s Back walk will rank very high, as well as eating fresh seafood after walking around Lamma Island, or meeting friends from all over the world, especially Indonesians, at Wanchai Mosque.
