In a fond salute, Lewin (Red Legs, p. 588, etc.) introduces readers to his favorite Chinese take-out place. It is a mood piece, striving for ambience rather than story line, and it succeeds admirably. The narrator is a young Chinese boy who takes readers through a day in his family’s Chinese restaurant, beginning with his own tour of duty carrying in supplies. A slew of uncles staffs the kitchen, chopping vegetables and meats, prepping for the lunchtime onslaught. “Chop! Chop! Chop! Dice and slice. Trim and dice. Slice and shred. Faster. Faster.” Lewin’s watercolors work wonders with the tight but electric bustle of the men as they respond to the gathering mayhem of lunch orders. Filling the pages with activity, he leaves borders of space for the text, which reflects the varying colors of the food and interior lights when the pictures are inside and are in black when the ordinary outside world is the scene. Then there are the regulars (including the handsome illustrator), whose orders are shouted into the kitchen without them even having to open their mouths. All day, the little boy pitches in to help, folding menus, packing take-out bags, and passing along orders. In a wonderfully abrupt turn, Lewin closes the long day at the restaurant with the narrator enjoying his favorite food—a slice of pizza. Finally, Lewin himself prepares to eat his favorite dish and offers the recipe, except for the “special secret sauce.” Everyone loves take-out food. And everyone ought to love this, from its menu on the endpapers to the aromas that fairly rise off the page. Readers won’t just drink in its transporting atmosphere, but will soon be on their way to their nearest Chinese community to taste the very air as well as the food. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-688-16026-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2001
This reverently told story is a true gift.
A daring Indigenous child embarks on a thrilling adventure.
Set in the 1880s, this tale follows young Rose and her family to the biannual Métis buffalo hunt, where hundreds of families convene in the hopes that “this hunt [will] be better than the last.” Rose’s pa is one of the captains, and Rose is eager to help him track mashkode-bizhiki. When he instructs her to stay at camp, she listens at first, but after hunters go a week without finding buffalo, the intrepid child goes scouting. Rose’s resourcefulness and daring shine as she strikes out on her own and employs the wisdom of her family: remaining determined despite miles without a sign, “thanking the buffalo for the gift of their life,” and donning a wolfskin to approach a distant herd without startling them. Rose returns with the good news, to her parents’ gratitude and gentle chiding for her disobedience. Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/Métis) captures the youngster’s resolve and excitement, while McKnight’s (Shoshone-Bannock) gorgeous watercolor and graphite images bring to life elements of Métis culture, particularly in stirring depictions of life at camp. Intergenerational basket weaving, elders dancing, roaring cook fires, and children at play—all impart Métis traditions, set against the beauty of the Plains; readers will be as moved by McKnight’s illustrations as they are by Rose’s ingenuity.
This reverently told story is a true gift. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-9)Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025
ISBN: 9781547606887
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Jan. 30, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
This lighthearted adventure features much-needed Hmong representation and an equally satisfying plot.
Twin Hmong American siblings lean on each other during a camping trip in this series opener.
Mosquito bites, scary bears, and an outhouse are just some of the fears keeping Astrid hidden away in a closet while her family prepares for their upcoming campout. Her supportive twin brother, Apollo, reassures her that whatever happens, they will get through it together. This early chapter book highlights the strength of sibling bonds and shows Astrid overcoming adversity in an approachable way. Her timidity and anxiety gradually decrease as she discovers the reality of camping is a lot less scary than her imagination. While the short chapters and simple sentence structure support a newly independent reader, some page layouts are disjointed, with illustrations that do not match the corresponding text. Despite this minor flaw, the cute, cartoon images showcase a gentle-feeling outdoors and the warm family connection that defines this trip. Hmong cultural elements such as names and cuisine are organically incorporated into the storyline. It’s an accessible and authentic introduction to an ethnic group rarely featured in children’s literature or mainstream popular culture. Facts about the Hmong, popular Hmong foods, a glossary, and a discussion guide are included in the backmatter.
This lighthearted adventure features much-needed Hmong representation and an equally satisfying plot. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5158-6131-7
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2020
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
