MY LOVE FOR YOU IS ALWAYS

Food isn’t just made with love, it is love.

A youngster asks, “Mama, do you love me?” The softly textured cartoons rendered in sweet, bright colors portray the mother, who shares her offspring’s pale skin and straight, black hair, bringing in groceries as she answers, “Yes, my child, of course I do.” The child’s curiosity is not satisfied, and the questions extend from the existential “But what is love, Mama?” to the sensory “What would it feel like?” Inspired by the ingredients laid before her, Mama attempts to translate the abstract to the tangible as she prepares a traditional Chinese meal. “My love for you feels warm. Like tea in my tummy.” Here the child is portrayed enveloped in the curly steam from the teacup. The deceptively simple narrative continues through the five senses, encompassing “What does it smell like?” and “Does it make a sound?” As Mama explores each metaphor, she mentions flavors and dishes ubiquitous to Asian kitchens such as persimmons, star anise, and steamed sticky rice. Each passage is accompanied by delectable scenes of food preparation that fade out to majestic fields of rice, a stand of bamboo, a swirling dragon. As the preparations culminate in a feast, Mama’s expression of love for her child achieves the infinite. This perfect marriage of illustrations and lyrical writing celebrates the affection that’s expressed through a lovingly cooked meal. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

This lovefest is a feast for all the senses.