Deborah Lau was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Australia. She speaks Cantonese at home but can't read any Chinese. When her daughter turned three, Deborah looked for Cantonese children's books but she struggled. None were as captivating as her daughter's English favorites. So she wrote books she could read with her daughter...without a dictionary! Deborah Lau was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Australia. She speaks Cantonese at home but can't read any Chinese. When her daughter turned three, Deborah looked for Cantonese children's books but she struggled. None were as captivating as her daughter's English favorites. So she wrote books she could read with her daughter...without a dictionary!