Review - Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon
by Kat Zhang
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Date: 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

In this sweet and brightly illustrated picture book, Amy Wu must craft a dragon unlike any other to share with her class at school in this unforgettable follow-up to Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao.

Amy loves craft time at school. But when her teacher asks everyone to make their own dragon, Amy feels stuck. Her first dragon has a long, wingless body, stag-like horns, and eagle claws, but her friends don’t think it’s a real dragon. Then she makes dragons like theirs, but none of them feels quite right...None of them feels like hers.

After school, a story from Grandma sparks new inspiration, and Amy rounds up her family to help her. Together, can they make Amy’s perfect dragon?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon is about a little girl who wants to make a dragon... her own way. When Amy's class learns about dragons, their teacher has them create their own. But Amy's doesn't exactly look like all the others, and she ends up not handing one in. Then her grandmother tells her about the dragons from their culture, and Amy knows exactly what she needs to do to make her dragon her own.

The story and illustrations are both pretty cute. Like its predecessor, this book adds some cultural flavour to a story about confidence. There's a small activity in the back of this book, and while it isn't as fun (or tasty) as making bao, it could be fun for kids. I also liked the inclusion of the explanation of the difference between Eastern and Western dragons.

Overall, this is a fairly strong picture book. Kids who like dragons will probably enjoy this, even if they're only familiar with the Western type.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
by Kat Zhang
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Date: 2019
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Aladdin
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Meet the funny, fierce, and fearless Amy Wu, who is determined to make a perfect bao bun today. Can she rise to the occasion?

Amy loves to make bao with her family. But it takes skill to make the bao taste and look delicious. And her bao keep coming out all wrong.

Then she has an idea that may give her a second chance…Will Amy ever make the perfect bao?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao is about a little girl who wants to make the perfect steamed bun. But her bao are always too small, too large, too full, too empty, or just too messy. When her family spends the day making bao, Amy tries to make the perfect one... but just can't manage it. She's frustrated, but then she comes up with a solution.

The illustrations by Charlene Chua are really adorable, and the whole premise is liable to get some stomachs growling (there's even a recipe in the back so you can make your own bao). But I'm not sold on Amy's solution to the problem; it doesn't make a lot of sense. How does cutting the dough in half result in her making the perfect-sized bun? I feel like I'm missing something.

But the message about persevering is good, and I enjoyed seeing the bao-making as a family activity. It's a cute picture book, and the bit of weakness in the plot is made up for by the darling illustrations and the nice message.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Shubh Diwali!

Shubh Diwali!
by Chitra Soundar
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Date: 2019
Publisher: Albert Whitman Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Diwali has arrived! Rangoli art decorates the floor and strings of flowers hang around the doors. Now it's time to ring the bells, light the lamps, and welcome the new year with family and friends. A sweet introduction to the Hindu festival of lights.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I've read a few Diwali books now, and this is perhaps one of the strongest. Rather than a vague overview of the festival, Shubh Diwali! offers detailed information in a clear and easy-to-read author's note. The charming main text, done in simple verse, is highlighted by colourful illustrations that show families participating in the traditions of this Hindu festival.

I would definitely recommend this one to readers who are interested in holidays and festivals from around the world.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - Hug?

Hug?
by Charlene Chua
Date: 2020
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

How many hugs is too many? This girl's had enough! This humorous picture book explores compassion and the importance of setting boundaries. After coughing up a hairball, a girl's cat doesn't feel well. So the girl offers to give her cat a hug, which makes the cat --- and the girl --- feel better. A dog notices and asks for a hug, too. Then some ducks come along asking for hugs. And a skunk . . . and a bear --- and a porcupine! One animal after another comes asking the girl for a hug until she's simply had enough. How much more of this can she take? With spare text and wonderfully expressive illustrations, Charlene Chua has created a playful, funny picture book with an original premise. The story shows how important hugs can be to our happiness --- even the most unlikely of creatures sometimes need one! --- but that doesn't mean they're always welcome. The book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, most of which are found in illustrations that vividly portray the girl's emotions as she grows more worn out with every encounter, encouraging visual literacy. Each spread also shows a hint of the animal that will appear next, building anticipation for what's to come. There are character education connections here to compassion, tolerance and empathy, and a terrific opportunity for discussions about boundaries.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a simple little book without much of a story, but it's a cute take on the joys (and perils) of hugs. Perhaps the most valuable thing in it, aside from the sweet illustrations, is the message about consent.

A little girl is petting her cat when it throws up a hairball (as they do). It doesn't feel so good, so the girl asks if the cat would like a hug. Soon, everybody--from dogs to bears to porcupines--wants in on the hugging action, until the girl is so worn out from giving hugs that she doesn't feel so good herself. The tables then turn, with her cat asking if she would like a hug.

I like how everyone's asking for permission here. There are no uncomfortable, unwanted hugs (with the exception of when one of the animals tries to eat the cat). This book could be used as a springboard for a conversation about consent and personal boundaries.

The pictures are cute and the characters have great expressions. I've seen Chua's work before in Going Up! If you like her style, you'll find it's used to great effect here.

Overall, this is a strong picture book, even if the story is really more of an idea than a plot. But it works well for what it is, and it could help teach kids about consent in an easy-to-understand way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Going Up!

Going Up!
by Sherry J. Lee
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Date: 2020
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

An elevator ride to a birthday party turns into a shared experience bursting with joy in this multicultural story about community, togetherness and the special feeling of belonging.

Today is Olive's birthday party, and Sophie and her dad have baked cookies. Sophie's dad holds the platter so Sophie can push the elevator button for the tenth floor. But on the way up, the elevator stops to let the Santucci brothers get on. Then on the next floor, Vicky, Babs and their dog, Norman, get in. And as the elevator ascends, it keeps stopping, and more neighbors squeeze in to the crowded space: the Habibs, the Flores family, Mr. Kwan, Vi Tweedle with her Chihuahua, Minx. Everyone is going to the party!

Playfully combining the excitement and anticipation of a party with children's universal love of riding in elevators, Sherry J. Lee's picture book story is ultimately about community and a sense of belonging. With characters from many cultural backgrounds, it showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience. Charlene Chua's illustrations provide loads of funny details and visual narratives that aren't in the text, making for a multilayered reading experience. The book's tall, narrow trim size adds to the effect of the rising elevator.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This slightly claustrophobic picture book is rather cute, showing a community of friends all gathering together for a birthday party as the elevator takes them up to the tenth floor.

The story is told by Sophie, who goes to the party with her dad. They live on the first floor, so they take their cookies that they baked and get into the elevator. As they stop at each floor, more and more friends get on. And they're a diverse bunch. There's the Santucci brothers, who look like aging rockers (but who also love cats and knitting); the Habib family, whose grandkids are dressed as superheroes and carrying a South Asian snack to share; the Flores family, which includes an adolescent boy in a tutu; and even Arnie, who plays the bass and wears orange Crocs. Ignoring the weight limit on the elevator, the group eventually makes it up to the tenth floor and the party begins!

There are lots of cute details in the illustrations. This is a book that you'll probably want to look at more than once, just to make sure you see everything. The story is simple, but the concept is done quite well.

Overall, this is a pleasant picture book with a diverse cast and a joyous premise. Who doesn't love a party with friends?

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5