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Table of Contents
About The Book
From Stonewall Award–winning illustrator Charlene Chua comes a tender, heartfelt story about love, loss, and the innumerable ways to carry someone in your heart, always, as a young girl honors her aunt’s memory by wearing the pink pajamas she sewed for her.
There are many ways of saying, “I love you.” For Ah Yi, it’s with her sewing machine, making extra soft, perfectly tailored pajamas for her niece. The little girl loves each pair, except the latest one which is pink, her least favorite color. She keeps a happy face on, but her aunt can always tell. She reassures the little girl there’s no need to worry—she’ll just make another pair.
But then Ah Yi gets too sick to use her sewing machine, so sick she has to go away to the hospital…and never comes home. Her niece doesn’t know what to make of the funeral customs until she finds her own special remembrance: wearing her pink pajamas, which were perfect all along.
There are many ways of saying, “I love you.” For Ah Yi, it’s with her sewing machine, making extra soft, perfectly tailored pajamas for her niece. The little girl loves each pair, except the latest one which is pink, her least favorite color. She keeps a happy face on, but her aunt can always tell. She reassures the little girl there’s no need to worry—she’ll just make another pair.
But then Ah Yi gets too sick to use her sewing machine, so sick she has to go away to the hospital…and never comes home. Her niece doesn’t know what to make of the funeral customs until she finds her own special remembrance: wearing her pink pajamas, which were perfect all along.
About The Author
Photograph by Charlene Chua
Charlene Chua (she/they) is the illustrator of multiple picture books, including Colorado Blue Spruce Award nominee Going Up!, the Amy Wu picture book series, and Stonewall Award winner Love, Violet. She is also the author-illustrator of Hug?. When they are not making art, they enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with their cats. Charlene lives with her husband (and cats!) in Hamilton, Ontario.
About The Illustrator
Photograph by Charlene Chua
Charlene Chua (she/they) is the illustrator of multiple picture books, including Colorado Blue Spruce Award nominee Going Up!, the Amy Wu picture book series, and Stonewall Award winner Love, Violet. She is also the author-illustrator of Hug?. When they are not making art, they enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with their cats. Charlene lives with her husband (and cats!) in Hamilton, Ontario.
Why We Love It
“Inspired by her own childhood experiences with her aunt, Charlene weaves a deeply touching tale about grief, memory, and how we show our love for others without ever needing to say the words.”
—Deeba Z., Senior Editor, on The Pink Pajamas
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (August 5, 2025)
- Length: 40 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665943161
- Grades: P - 3
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
A JLG Selection
"A charming tribute to a lost loved one." —Kirkus Reviews
"A great addition for any community. This is a story about love and loss of extended family from a child’s perspective where difficult realities are faced, but it still ends on a hopeful note." —School Library Journal
"Chua’s ink-drawn and digitally colored illustrations make the pink pajamas pop, while straightforward prose pierces in its simple yearning." —Publishers Weekly
Awards and Honors
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): The Pink Pajamas
Hardcover 9781665943161
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Author Photo (jpg): Charlene Chua Photograph by Charlene Chua(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
