Two Generations, One Story: Richmond Children’s Book Author Co-Writes With Her Grandson

By Simone Mar 

A published author residing in the Richmond District, Stephanie M. Wildman, recently released her sixth children’s book, “Story Power!” During the early stages of the book, she shared her concept with her grandson, Simon Wildman Chung. He liked what she had written but had an idea to expand it. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Wildman Chung was only 4 years old, he and his grandma had created a story together called “Simon Saves the Rainbow,” where a boy and a wizard try to save the colors of the rainbow. They heard someone is going to “eat the rainbow,” so they go to each color’s house to warn them, only to find out that this phrase did not mean the colors were in trouble, it meant they were having a feast of colorful foods. 

About two years ago, when Wildman had begun working on the early iterations of “Story Power,” this resurfaced. The then-7-year-old Wildman Chung suggested it as an addition to what his grandma had begun writing. 

“That’s (like) Shakespeare: a story within a story,” said Wildman.

From there, the grandma and grandson duo began their collaboration. Their book begins with Flor, Louis and Roberto – characters from Wildman’s previous children’s books “Treasure Hunt,” “Breath by Breath” and “Ghost Writer” – waiting for their grandma to come home. The two younger siblings, Louis and Roberto, are bored, so their older brother, Roberto, tells them they should write a story. Using their grandma’s phrase “eat the rainbow,” the siblings create a story together, curing their boredom. 

Wildman and Wildman Chung released “Story Power!” on Oct. 14, 2025.

“(Wildman Chung) was a very equal co-author,” Wildman said. 

For her grandson, “it was like it was writing itself,” he said. 

Estephanía Razo, illustrator of some of Wildman’s previous books, illustrated Wildman and Wildman Chung’s “Story Power!”. During the coloring process, they sat down to make sure the black-and-white mock-ups were correctly laid out for printing.

“(Wildman Chung) found a mistake that none of us saw,” Wildman explained. The order of the rainbow was mixed up, but Wildman Chung’s close attention to detail caught the flaw. 

At the end of each of Wildman’s books are instructions for a craft related to the book. In “Story Power!”, there is a place where children can come up with their own story, encouraging creativity and imagination. These activities are especially designed to share with loved ones.

“It’s a way to build a connection beyond the book,” Wildman said. “Write a story together, anybody can do it.”

Reflecting on her own writing experience, Wildman said, “I think I’ve always felt like I was a writer. For me, (writing) is fun, and I hope (Wildman Chung) feels that way about it too.” 

Wildman Chung is now 9 years old and a published author. He said he is finding joy in being an author, strengthening his already tight bond with his grandma in the process.

 “I like writing,” Wildman Chung said. “I could see myself doing it more.”   

Blending two generations of writers, Wildman and Wildman Chung’s “Story Power!” can be found anywhere books are sold online such as Barnesandnoble.com, Bookshop.org and Amazon.