Surf Soup® Blog

News, Stories, and Behind-the-Scenes from Donna Kay Lau

The Surf Soup® Blog is your go-to source for updates on books, cartoons, music, and all things Surf Soup®. Here, Emmy-honored creator Donna Kay Lau shares behind-the-scenes stories, sneak peeks, creative tips, event recaps, and personal reflections on her journey as an author, animator, and musician.

Stay connected to the Surf Soup® universe with:

News on new releases — books, music, and animation
Behind-the-scenes insights into the making of Surf Soup® TV
Creative inspiration and tips for kids, educators, and families
Event recaps including author visits, screenings, and live streams

Whether you’re a fan, parent, educator, or aspiring creator, the Surf Soup® Blog keeps you in the loop and inspired by the creativity, culture, and fun at the heart of Surf Soup®.

Surf soup premiere buttons on red carpet in Hollywood music premiere

🌊 Surf Soup TV Blog – Stories, Art & Adventures

Welcome to the Surf Soup TV Blog, the creative journal of artist, animator, and author Donna Kay Lau.
Here you’ll find stories behind the making of the Surf Soup Book Series, sneak peeks at the Surf Soup Buttons short film, and reflections on art, surf culture, and children’s imagination.
Each post celebrates creativity, community, and the joy of storytelling through animation, music, and colorful picture books.

✨ Featured Posts

Making Surf Soup – How a sketch turned into a world of surfing adventures and animated friends.
Behind the Scenes – Step inside Donna’s studio to see how characters are drawn, voiced, and brought to life.
Surf Soup Buttons Film Journey – From storyboard to screen, the heartfelt process of an Oscar-qualified short.
Music & Motion – Creating children’s songs that match the rhythm of the waves.
Reader Guides & Activities – Coloring pages, classroom projects, and fun for families and teachers.
Book Launch Highlights – Celebrations, signings, and the creative team behind each release.
Surf Culture & Inspiration – Growing up near the ocean, Hawaiian influences, and why surfing fuels imagination.
Podcasts & Conversations – Listen to Donna share lessons in art, perseverance, and purpose.
News & Events – Festival screenings, open-studio days, and ways to connect with the Surf Soup community.

🌺 Join the Journey

Surf Soup TV is more than a cartoon—it’s a creative movement for kids, parents, teachers, and dreamers.
Follow along for updates, new book releases, and exclusive behind-the-scenes stories.
Sign up for the monthly newsletter or explore our music, animation, and art resources to see how imagination can make waves.

Surf soup premiere buttons on red carpet in Hollywood

📚 Surf Soup® Book Launches & Celebrations

Welcome to the Surf Soup Book Launches page!
Here, author, illustrator, and Emmy-honored animator Donna Kay Lau celebrates every new release in the Surf Soup® Book Series—a collection of over 100 imaginative, hand-illustrated children’s stories that inspire creativity, kindness, and curiosity.

Each Surf Soup book is a colorful world filled with laughter, cultural stories, and life lessons that connect families and classrooms everywhere.
From Surf Soup: Buttons—the story behind Donna’s Oscar-qualified animated short film—to whimsical titles like Maniacal Hair, Aloha Grandma, and Mr. Handy Dandy, How Do You Do?, every launch is a joyful event that brings readers closer to the Surf Soup characters they love.

✨ Recent Launch Highlights

Surf Soup: Buttons – The beloved picture book that inspired an award-winning animated short.
Surf Soup: Hair-tastic Adventures – Celebrating imagination and self-expression through wacky hairstyles.
Surf Soup TV Companion Books – Behind-the-scenes art, sketches, and animation secrets from Donna’s studio.
Surf Soup Music Storybooks – Illustrated sing-along tales blending art, rhythm, and storytelling.

🎉 Celebrate With Us

Each launch includes:

Virtual Book Parties & Read-Alouds hosted by Donna.
Art and Animation Workshops for young creators.
Signed Limited Editions available through Kickstarter and special events.
Community Spotlights featuring teachers, librarians, and fans sharing how Surf Soup inspires them.

Follow the journey of each new Surf Soup release—join the mailing list, visit the blog for updates, or explore the Surf Soup world of books, animation, and positive storytelling.