Product Description
From author-illustrator Maple Lam comes a new picture book about a Chinese American girl and her younger sister as they attend their weekly dim sum family gathering. A celebration of the traditional Chinese customs passed on from generation to generation: togetherness, love, family—and FOOD!
Today is Sunday and that means its dim sum time with my whole family! I can’t wait to see everyone, especially Grandma.
I’m going to eat lots of shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and my favorite—char siu buns. We will have to order enough for us all to share.
So what are you waiting for? Dim sum, here we come!
A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION!
From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-A multigenerational family meets every Sunday to enjoy dim sum. A younger member of the extended family, sporting a tousled black bob, red shirt, and white shorts, is the enthusiastic narrator. The color illustrations are charming, with plenty of small details that invite a closer look. One uncle explains some of the restaurant's decor, including a kumquat tree, a happy cat statue, and a tank of brightly colored fish. They are all symbols of good luck. The customs of the meal are revealed as the 12 family members gather at a large round table. Bird's-eye views offer different appreciations for the enjoyment of tea and the vast array of dishes from which to choose. The young narrator naturally talks about the importance and fun in the sharing of the dishes. The love this family shares is clear. The endpapers are an added delight. The front ones show 18 dishes to savor. The back ones are the now empty vessels with happy reviews. VERDICT An engaging story that fits into any collection; the sharing of food crosses cultural lines and will make everyone hungry for some great dim sum!-Elisabeth LeBrisα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
Lam's love of both dim sum and family is infectious, and she deftly weaves cultural details into the story, such as family members tapping their fingers to thank Uncle Jeremy for refilling hot tea for everyone. Delicious. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Sharing, caring, and cultural traditions mark a Chinese American family’s weekly meal together in author-illustrator Lam’s delectable picture book. The book’s plot doubles as a dim sum primer for those not in the know, showing the family ordering via a card, sharing from steamer baskets rotated around the table, and, via a revealing bird’s-eye view of the table, respectfully taking turns. Lam’s yummy watercolor and colored pencil art depicts char siu buns, pork dumplings, and spring rolls that are surely worth the wait." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
While the food might seem to steal the show in this cheerful book, Lam links it all together with an emphasis on sharing: “sharing dim sum means I love you.” Whether they’re familiar with dim sum or not, little kids are sure to recognize the experience of eating lots (and lots!) of food with loved ones. — Booklist
This is a charming, ebullient celebration of family and food, but it is also a playful primer for readers unfamiliar with Chinese customs and dim sum, including details like tapping the table twice as a thank you. Lam’s cartoony, big-headed figures call up Schulz’s Peanuts characters, and the watercolor and colored pencil illustrations give mouthwatering detail to the delectable spread. This is an easy pick for a tasty food-themed storytime, perhaps paired with Maillard’s Fry Bread or last month’s Mama’s Home—just be sure to have snacks on hand. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
About the Author
Maple Lam is an author-illustrator based in Los Angeles, California. Her previous books include My Little Sister and Me, What Can You Do With a Toolbox? by Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri, and Frenemies in the Family by Kathleen Krull. Visit her at www.maplelam.com.
