The Story Behind the Bing Cherry Revealed in New Picture Book

Creators Livia Blackburne and Julia Kuo bring the little-known history of Ah Bing to life in 'Bing's Cherries'

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:27am

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Bing's Cherries, a new vibrant picture book, reimagines the story of Ah Bing, the Chinese immigrant whose name lives on in the famous Bing cherry. Author Livia Blackburne and illustrator Julia Kuo blend folklore, history, and artistic interpretation to celebrate a figure whose legacy has long gone unrecognized.

Why it matters

The book carries powerful themes of legacy and recognition, shedding light on the contributions of Chinese Americans in agriculture and the discrimination they faced. By reclaiming Ah Bing's story, the creators hope to inspire readers to see the beauty that emerges when cultures and communities come together.

The details

Bing's Cherries follows a young Chinese American girl as she learns about Ah Bing, the Chinese immigrant who developed the Bing cherry in Oregon. The story blends historical facts with imaginative folklore, bringing Ah Bing's tale to life through the girl's own storytelling. Blackburne and Kuo worked closely to balance honoring the real Ah Bing while crafting an engaging narrative for young readers.

  • Ah Bing lived and worked in Oregon in the late 19th/early 20th century.
  • Bing's Cherries was published in 2026.

The players

Livia Blackburne

The New York Times bestselling author of novels and picture books, including I Dream of Popo.

Julia Kuo

The author and illustrator of several picture books, including Let's Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things that Light Up the Night.

Ah Bing

The Chinese immigrant who developed the famous Bing cherry in Oregon in the late 19th/early 20th century.

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What they’re saying

“I was used to stories and people being either white or Asian, but never both, like I was, an Asian American. But here was a real-life Asian American folk hero waiting to be celebrated.”

— Julia Kuo, Illustrator

“Our country is going through a time of strife regarding how immigrants are portrayed and treated. I hope Bing's Cherries create an alternate vision for how we as a country might view immigrants and people in the margins. There is beauty when people of different backgrounds come together, and we all stand to benefit.”

— Livia Blackburne, Author

What’s next

Blackburne and Kuo are already working on their next collaboration, Chrysanthemum's Glow, which will explore the history of the chrysanthemum flower and its integration into American Thanksgiving traditions.

The takeaway

Bing's Cherries celebrates the untold story of Ah Bing, the Chinese immigrant whose name lives on in one of America's most beloved fruits. By reclaiming this forgotten history, the book inspires readers to appreciate the contributions of diverse communities and the beauty that emerges when cultures come together.