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