Donna Kay Lau is an Oscar-qualified and Emmy-honored TV animator, award-winning author, illustrator, producer, fitness trainer, and entrepreneur, best known as the creator of Surf Soup®, the beloved children’s book and media brand that now spans over 100 titles across picture books, journals, activity books, sketchbooks, and companion creative resources for children and families.
As a Chinese American storyteller, Donna’s creative voice is deeply influenced by culture, heritage, resilience, and family history. Her work blends imagination, kindness, inclusivity, and environmental awareness, creating stories that inspire young readers to dream big, create boldly, and care for the world around them.
With more than 30 years of experience in the animation industry, Donna has worked on some of the most iconic and Emmy-winning television productions in children’s and family entertainment. Her credits include Dora the Explorer, CatDog, Oswald, Regular Show, Generator Rex, and the crossover special Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United. Her studio career includes celebrated work with Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and Cartoon Network, where she earned both Daytime and Primetime Emmy honors.
Donna’s storytelling expertise extends beyond television into publishing, multimedia, and live creative experiences. Through Surf Soup®, she has built an expansive world of books that celebrate friendship, creativity, ocean conservation, culture, humor, and emotional growth. What began as a single picture book inspired by surfing and life lessons has evolved into a growing creative universe that continues to reach families around the world.
She is currently expanding the brand through Surf Soup® TV, the media and entertainment extension of Surf Soup®, which includes animation, music, live streaming, VTuber experiences, podcasts, creator interviews, and family programming. This growing platform brings the characters and heart of Surf Soup® into a new storytelling space through animated shorts, live content, behind-the-scenes creative sessions, and family-friendly broadcasts on YouTube and other streaming platforms.
Donna is also the host of the Surf Soup® Talk Story podcast and Surf Soup® TV podcast for kids, where she shares creator journeys, inspiring interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and updates from the expanding Surf Soup® world.
Beyond publishing and animation, Donna is a longtime fitness trainer with over 23 years of experience, bringing the same discipline, motivation, and energy from wellness into every creative project. Her work as an artist also includes painting, surfboard art, fashion, mixed media, and creative projects that support ocean and community charities.
Whether through books, television, live storytelling, or visual art, Donna Kay Lau continues to inspire audiences with her ability to blend imagination, culture, resilience, and heart into stories that move people of all ages.
Her work invites children and families everywhere to ride the waves of imagination.
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