Author Introduction

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Meet the author:

Fawzia Mai Tung was born in 1957 and grew up internationally in a Chinese (Taiwan) diplomatic family. She speaks, reads, and writes French, English, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic. A medical doctor, she specializes in Psychiatry. An educator, she has experience as a tutor, teacher, homeschooling mother, workshop instructor, principal, charter school operator, private school founder, educational consultant, and curriculum developer. She has worked with non-profits and volunteers with civil rights groups. She is also trained in real estate investment and building real estate wealth.

After retiring as a journalist (Jordan Times, Hsin Sheng Pao, Middle East Health, Arab News, Arizona Muslim Voice, Islamic Horizons, Pakistan West, Al Mashreq), a psychiatrist, and an educator, this mother of seven and grandmother of seven turned to full-time writing, publishing The Wonderful Tale of Donkey Skin (MG) in November 2016. A member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, Arizona Chapter, where she holds the position of Leader of the Equity & Inclusion Team, Fawzia Tung is presently working on a series of retold fairy tales (MG picture books), a collection of Best Loved Chinese Tales (MG /YA), a non-fiction book about spiritual awakening through gardening, and her memoirs (as a series).

Coming Soon in 2023…

The Wonderful Tale of Donkey Skin
In a lively conversation between Grandma Nainai and her Grandson Zakiyy, the reader finds a rich retelling of the Charles Perrault fairy tale, Donkey Skin. This proves to be quite the adventure for Nainai, as children are more curious, knowledgeable, and interactive today than in her own childhood. The result is a “wonderful tale,” beautifully illustrated in whimsical watercolors by Kadhima Tung and playful comic strips by Qadri Tung.  

Note from Kathleen, Content Coordinator…

As a librarian in her day job, Kathleen knows how important it is for children to continue reading as they grow. The Wonderful Tale of Donkey Skin (first in the May Fairy series) appeals to reluctant readers at the middle-grade level by deftly blending oral storytelling with a pseudo-graphic novel format. The story is told in a dialogue between the main characters, Nainai and Zakiyy. Nainai patiently answers Zakiyy’s questions about unfamiliar words, life in the Middle Ages, and more in a loving and authentic way. Children reading the story will find their natural curiosity satisfied without feeling ashamed of having the same questions as Zakiyy. Light and wistful watercolors are sprinkled throughout, breaking up the text and encouraging movement through the story. The Wonderful Tale of Donkey Skin fills the gap between early readers and chapter books, which some children at third and fourth grade may find too “kiddy” and too hard to read, respectively. We are looking forward to this and more of the May Fairy series from Dr. Tung!

Connect with Dr. Tung through her website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, where she’s uploaded a reading of Donkey Skin. Enjoy!