Roselle Lim is a bestselling author of young adult novels, who was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Canada as a child. She grew up in a diverse Asian neighborhood in northern Scarborough, where she was surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultures. It was here that her love for storytelling was first ignited, as she listened to her lola (paternal grandmother) tell her Filipino folktales.
Lim's writing is heavily influenced by her upbringing in a household where Chinese superstition mingled with Filipino Catholicism. She developed a keen interest in mythology, which shaped the fantastical elements in her novels. As a child, she was surprisingly good at reading, especially given that she learned English from watching wrestling. She particularly enjoyed "The Witches" by Roald Dahl, which she found to be wicked and hilarious, and taught her the valuable lesson of not taking everything at face value.
Lim's first foray into writing was a remake of a cartoon on TV, after her grandmother introduced her to graphic and comic novels modeled on Filipino telenovelas. She published her first novel, "Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune," in 2019, a proud moment for her as she had published in a language that is not her native tongue. When she is not writing, she enjoys working on her various art projects, including woodburning, stickering, and sewing.
In summary, Roselle Lim is a talented author whose work is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage and personal experiences. Growing up in a diverse community, surrounded by Filipino and Chinese influences, provided her with a rich background that she draws upon in her storytelling. Her love for mythology and folklore, combined with her artistic nature, make her a unique and compelling voice in the world of young adult fiction.