Icy Fruit: How My Grandfather Spread the Joy of Ice Pops Across Taiwan

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

This fun and fascinating biography of a Taiwanese ice pop entrepreneur—the author's beloved grandfather—is a terrific read-aloud about inventiveness and the treats of summer.

Charlotte Cheng's grandfather always had a bag of coins rustling in his pocket. That bag carried with it "a story of joyful jingles, sultry summers, and fresh frozen fruit which began in 1965 in the lush valleys and mountains of an island called Taiwan."

This story of Agong's Icy Fruit company, from first inspired idea through experimentation to countrywide success, is a lyrical, lively, and richly illustrated read that's part biography, part family tribute, and part celebration of summer. Gather round for Icy Fruit!

About the Author

Charlotte Cheng’s writing credits include Roar-Choo!, Night Market Rescue, and I Miss You Most, and she has illustrated the picture books Silly McGilly and A Moment in Time. In the field of education, she has written and illustrated K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies such as LeapFrog, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

Author Residence: San Mateo, CA

Vivian Mineker is a Taiwanese American illustrator who creates visuals she hopes evoke the profound feelings and emotions that we all experience as humans. She has illustrated a number of children’s books, and when she's not drawing or painting, you can probably find her running around outside with her dog, browsing and sniffing at books in bookstores, or stopping for a cup of coffee or a piece of cake.