From its humble origins in 1990 at City Hall with just 149 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors, the HONG KONG BOOK FAIR has grown into one of Asia’s most anticipated cultural events. Now held annually at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the fair has become a dynamic convergence of literature, technology, and global storytelling—drawing over a million visitors at its peak and expanding to include thematic zones, art installations, and offsite cultural programs. Its growth mirrors Hong Kong’s rising stature as a hub for cross-border creativity and publishing.
This year, the 35th HONG KONG BOOK FAIR 2025, held from July 16 to 22, welcomed over 770 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions. With the theme:
“Reading the World – Food Culture • Future Living”,
the fair explored how food, memory, and cultural identity shape the stories we tell and the lives we live. Among the 620+ events held throughout the week, the exhibition “Book a Table: Food for Thought” captured global attention through its interactive installations and consular collaborations.
Kravitz & Sons participated not only to display titles but to engage in this vibrant conversation. One of the standout contributions was Jennifer, the Special One by Helena R. Chung—a poignant tale of empathy, friendship, and the hidden strengths that make every child unique.
The author, Helena R. Chung, resides in California with her husband of 30 years and their four daughters—Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah, and Lily. She is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts degree in Christian Studies at Regent University and continues to serve her community through church work, child sponsorship, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Her commitment to compassion, faith, and inclusion shines clearly through her writing.
At the heart of Jennifer, the Special One is the gentle, day-by-day chronicle of Sherry—a young girl starting her first week of school—who notices a classmate struggling to fit in. Through Sherry’s eyes and pure-hearted narration, readers witness her growing bond with Jennifer, a classmate with special education needs who begins school with tears, fear, and resistance.
Each afternoon, Sherry shares with her mother the progress of her friendship with Jennifer. Despite Jennifer’s emotional outbursts and reluctance to engage, Sherry responds with patience and unwavering kindness. The story beautifully captures the way empathy blossoms naturally in children and how a simple act of reaching out can break through barriers of misunderstanding and isolation.
The story crescendos to a heartwarming conclusion when Jennifer finally smiles and calls Sherry her “special friend”—a title that gains a deeper meaning once readers learn from the teacher that Jennifer is a student in the special education program. The narrative reframes what it means to be “special,” not as a limitation, but as a source of value and beauty.
This book is more than just a classroom anecdote—it’s a mirror for many children who have seen, known, or been the child who didn’t quite fit in. The lesson is clear and universal: kindness is powerful, differences are gifts, and friendship knows no boundaries. It’s this rich emotional tapestry that makes Jennifer, the Special One a deserving feature at the HONG KONG BOOK FAIR—especially in a year exploring cultural memory, identity, and future living.
Make your way to Kravitz & Sons and discover Jennifer, the Special One.
It’s a story that will stay in your heart long after you turn the last page.
Jennifer
the Special One
Helena R. Chung