Picture books, graphic novels, fantasy, nonfiction—I like to write a little bit of everything.

Christina Soontornvat is the award-winning author of over twenty books for children of all ages. Her picture books include The Ramble Shamble Children, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, and To Change a Planet, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Belle. She is the author of the beloved Diary of an Ice Princess chapter book series and the bestselling graphic novel, The Tryout. Christina has received three Newbery Honor awards for her books for middle grade readers, and she is the only author to be awarded Newbery Honors for both fiction and nonfiction in the same year. Her account of the Thai Cave Rescue, All Thirteen, received numerous accolades, including the Kirkus Prize for Young People’s Literature. She travels all over the world to speak to children, writers, and educators about her love of reading and storytelling.

Christina grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town with her nose stuck in a book. She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members (and eat lots and lots of Thai food!). In addition to being an author, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field, where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science. She is passionate about STEM (science, technology engineering, and math) and loves learning new things. She currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two daughters.

Christina is represented by Jodi Reamer of Writers House and Mary Pender at United Talent Agency.

View Christina’s press kit for bio options and downloadable headshots.

Quick Facts about Christina

Hometown

Weatherford, Texas

Siblings

None, I’m an only child.

Age

Born in 1980

Favorite movie:

Labyrinth

Favorite food:

Thai food of any kind, but especially dessert, and especially look choop!

Favorite color:

Blue

Favorite season:

Summer

If I could be any animal:

A sea otter

Fears:

Swimming in murky water (so maybe it would be hard to be an otter…)

Frequently Asked Questions

People ask me all the time how to pronounce my last name. This video will show you how!

Break up the syllables and sound it out: SOON-TORN-VAT. It rhymes with “Moon”-“Born”-“Lot”. It’s totally fine with me if you make a mistake pronouncing it! Thai last names are typically long and difficult for non-Thai people to say (they’re hard for me, too!). In fact, my last name is on the shorter side!

Definitely not! When I was a kid I imagined myself growing up to be a news reporter, a travel guide, or a NASA scientist. Author wasn’t even in the top 100 list. When I was growing up I never met any authors, so it never even occurred to me that it could be a career. I didn’t start writing my first book until I was 30!

Standing with my dad's mother and my mom's parents in front of our restaurant, The Golden Moon.
Standing with my dad’s mother and my mom’s parents in front of our restaurant, The Golden Moon.

I would say most of my book ideas come from my family. I get inspired by my parents’ stories of what their lives were like as children. I also get a lot of ideas from being around my kids and their cousins. Playing games with them and telling them stories makes me have to use my imagination and be a little wild, which is the best way to come up with a new idea. My books THE CHANGELINGS, DIARY OF AN ICE PRINCESS, THE BLUNDERS, and THE RAMBLE SHAMBLE CHILDREN have all been inspired by my daughters, nieces, and nephew.

With my own kiddos at one of our favorite beaches
With my own kiddos at one of our favorite beaches.

I didn’t have any brothers or sisters so I was alone often. I remember being bored a lot! I played a lot of make-believe, which involved building forts and hideouts, crushing up ingredients to make “potions”, and playing with dolls. My parents worked at their restaurant all the time, so I had to be there too. I would use the restaurant supplies (napkins, straws, chopsticks, rubber bands, etc) to make puppets. I made awesome puppets. I had a tree in my backyard that I loved to climb. I liked to draw. I think I was a pretty dreamy kid because I spent so much time by myself. And of course I read stacks and stacks of books!

I really love spending time outside with my family. I like hiking, swimming, and visiting beautiful natural places, like the National Parks. My husband and I lived in Hawaii for about a year when we were younger, where we learned to surf. I don’t think there is anything better than paddling out on a surfboard and just being on the water!

With my husband in Yosemite National Park. That is Half Dome in the background!
With my husband in Yosemite National Park. That is Half Dome in the background!

Gah, this is the hardest question in the WORLD for me! My answer changes all the time. How about I tell you my favorite books at different stages of my life:

Elementary SchoolThe Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbit

Middle SchoolThe Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

High SchoolLes Misérables by Victor Hugo

CollegeJonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Samantha Clarke

Grownup TimesThe Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang and The Mothers by Brit Bennett and The Friend by Sigrid Nunez

Kids Books I love as a GrownupRace to the Bottom of the Sea by Lindsay Eager and The Moon Within by Aida Salazar and We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly and The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert and Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang and Stargazing by Jen Wang

With author friends Booki Vivat, Angela Dominguez, and Karina Yan Glaser. Their books are some of my favorites, too!
With author friends Booki Vivat, Angela Dominguez, and Karina Yan Glaser. Their books are some of my favorites, too!

INTERVIEWS