DUMPLINGS MEAN FAMILY

An adopted Chinese boy and his family learn to make authentic dumplings in a picture book that celebrates their dual heritage.

After Ethan and his brother and sister were adopted from China by a White American family, they faced adjustments. Ethan recalls that their parents “only knew how to make American food.” The siblings worried they’d never eat their favorite Chinese foods again, especially dumplings: “Not having the dumplings we remembered was making us homesick for China.” Mom is determined to learn how to make them. The family visits Mom’s friends Mr. and Mrs. Cheung for dumpling-making lessons. The results are wonderful: “Just like we remembered!” Then the family happily eats homemade dumplings together. Ethan enjoys American foods, too. He says that “our family is American and our family is Chinese. We are proud to be both.” Jennifer Shaw’s text effectively portrays food as a meaningful way to connect with loved ones and learn from others (though some readers—especially in large cities—may find it slightly unrealistic that the family hadn’t been able to find dumplings to eat without making them). Rinnah Shaw’s bold, full-color illustrations follow Ethan as he and his siblings acclimate to their new home. Speech and thought bubbles sometimes contain Chinese words and letters, and images of cooking and eating underscore themes of unity and family as characters enjoy both Chinese and American dishes. The book labels some foods with their English names and Chinese translations—and, as a bonus, has a dumpling recipe.

A heartening story of culture, food, and family.