Charlene Chua

Amy loves eating bao but unlike her dad, mom, and grandma, she cannot form the dough and filling into the perfectly shaped bun. If she keeps persisting every time they make bao together, will she ever get it right?

This was a super cute and fun story about a child showcasing perseverance and ingenuity. I love that Amy problem solves and finds out what is causing her issue -- and how to fix it. Her family is supportive in her efforts throughout but they do let her 'fail' a bit and figure show more things out her own, which is a difficult lesson for parents to learn sometimes!

The illustrations fit the story and its tone well. Backmatter includes a recipe for making bao. show less

This book has a productive struggle, showing how the little girl can't make a "perfect bao" as her family can, but after fixing it to her size she is able to with practice. This book is good for primary age, and helps a kid realize not to give up and to keep trying after you fail.

A child loves their weekly visits to Ye Ye, Po Po, and Ah Yi's house, and loves the soft pajama pants Ah Yi sews on her machine. The latest pair is pink, though, which isn't their favorite color, though they are polite about it. Ah Yi is understanding and says she'll make another pair - but she gets sick, is hospitalized, and dies. The child wears the last remaining pair of pajama pants to shreds, and after an unsatisfying shopping trip with her mom, finds the pink pair again - and realizes show more they are perfect. A tender story about loss. (There is one illustration that shows the child using Ah Yi's sewing machine...without the foot pedal.) show less

Violet (pale skin, short red hair, purple coat, cowboy hat) has a crush on a girl in her class, but is too shy to give her the special valentine she made for her. When Violet's hat flies off in a gust of wind and the valentine goes flying, the two girls chase after it together.

Very sweet. Warm colors for a wintertime story.
*
Re-read February 2024