I was hungry when I read two recent picture books about food (and family). Did this influence my taste in the books? No, because when I am hungry, I tend not to like a book, but I did the two I read.
The second book (the first was a tasty treat about dim sum) was Chloe’s Lunar New Year. Here we leave the hustle and bustle of a restaurant behind and Lily Lamotte takes us into the family home. Here, Chloe is excited for the reunion dinner where her family will join. Some aunts and uncles and a special guess are around the table. And we see how the food is prepared, what is special to each person and finally how mixing cultures just enriches things even more.
The art of Michelle Lee is adorable. Everything is “fuzzy” but not blurry. It is cozy. And when we find who the special person is, this softer look allows it to be a bit less sad. The afterwards on Taiwan’s celebration and a recopied are also included.
This book is a great way to introduce culture and food to a classroom of at least ages five and up. The thing I like is that so many foods are so there is good luck for the coming year. It is nice to see traditional and meaning added to the meal and the celebration. The art is my second favorite, as I said, it is cozy. We have a mix of modern, traditional and diverseness to round things out.