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Stories about young girls defying expectations are hardly new, yet they remain urgently relevant, especially when they come from an authentic voice.
And you rarely get more authentic than Dumplings and Dreams, a bilingual children’s storybook written, translated and illustrated by 14-year-old Hillary Aimee Srijaya.
“I want girls to read my book and believe that they can also be independent, that they can empower themselves and find solutions, so that everyone can believe they can be successful and reach their full potential,” she says.
In the book, Hillary’s heroine is Liwen, the daughter of a noble family in Qing-dynasty China. Though bound by tradition, she chooses to pursue a passion for making dumplings, encouraged by the women around her.
While the story is set in ancient China, Hillary says its themes resonate with girls everywhere today, as women’s voices still often go unheard in the name of preserving tradition.
With vivid storytelling that showcases her fluency in both English and Mandarin, and illustrations that pull readers in, Hillary demonstrates a maturity beyond her years. But her talent truly shines beneath the surface, where personal history helps shape the world she’s created.
The heroines, on and off the page
The book’s rich details about life in Qing-era China stem from two summers Hillary spent researching the period, gathering textures and rituals that bring Liwen’s world to life.
“I researched their clothing style, their stoves, their ovens and the spices that were available at that time so that I could draw them,” she recalls.
“I found out that during that time in China, women were match-made and had no voice in it.”
But when it comes to the characters, the story becomes deeply personal.
Hillary’s older sister, an author studying at Cornell University, inspired the fictional sister who urges Liwen to follow her dreams instead of marrying a wealthy merchant and ending up in a loveless marriage.
Her grandmother, a successful businesswoman, helped shape the mentor who guides Liwen’s first steps in the dumpling business.
And most of all, there is her mother, the foundation of Hillary’s feminist lens and her connection to Fuqing in Fujian province, the book’s backdrop.
“My mother wrote two books about Chinese Indonesians,” Hillary says.
“She’s very into feminism and tells me a lot about it. These very independent and successful women around me really encouraged me to write a book about women’s empowerment.”
Dumplings and Dreams isn’t just a coming-of-age tale about a girl stepping into her own power. It’s also a tribute by a young writer to the women who paved the way for her.
Where fiction meets conviction
Hillary, like her heroine Liwen, has access to advantages many others do not.
As the daughter of a nobleman, Liwen is able to launch her business at her sister’s restaurant. But she gives back by teaching orphan girls how to become entrepreneurs, eventually hiring them to provide income and stability.
Hillary acknowledges her own privilege openly. This is why she’s donating proceeds from the book to UNICEF, supporting causes close to her heart, including social justice and girls’ education. She also aspires to join #TimUNICEF to help every child reach their full potential.
“I reached out to UNICEF because they have a specific section for girls’ education,” she says.
“I really like how they're passionate about feminism, and that inspired me too.”
The discourse around dumplings
To celebrate the book’s launch on Nov. 8 at the 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird, Hillary invited two leading literary voices: Professor Melani Budianta, known for her work on gender and women’s rights, and Dr. Murti Bunanta, a globally recognized children’s book expert and founder of Kelompok Pencinta Bacaan Anak (Society for the Advancement of Children’s Literature).
Professor Melani said the book highlights the three essential ingredients, passion, economic independence and a strong support system, that are crucial for women to reach their full potential. But what impressed her most was Hillary’s activism.
“What I like about this is the message: If you’ve succeeded, think of other girls,” she said.
“The social activism here is interesting, especially from a 14-year-old. Hillary’s already thinking about that. So many people now have more, want more and don’t think about others. This is an example of how we can give back to society with whatever ability we have.”
Dr. Murti praised Hillary’s talent and encouraged her to explore Indonesia’s rich folklore in future works, a hope she holds for many young local writers.
“There are many children’s books, and many children write their own stories. I don’t compare them,” Dr. Murti said.
“She’s still young, so there’s a lot of room for growth. But she can learn, and I know she learns fast.”
In a surprise achievement, Hillary also earned a record from the Indonesian World Record Museum (MURI) as the “Youngest Indonesian Translator and Illustrator” who translated her book from English to Chinese (with Chinese characters and Hanyu Pinyin), at just 14.
A full circle ending
The book closes with Liwen marrying a man she chooses. It’s a full circle ending that frames independence not as a rejection of marriage, but as the freedom to enter it on her own terms.
In the final pages, Liwen teaches her daughter to make dumplings, passing down tradition without giving up autonomy.
It’s a powerful reminder: Girls don’t have to choose between ambition and love. They can shape lives that make room for both.
