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carolineinthelibrary's review
4.0
A very sweet illustrated book of poetry for kids about the difficulties of moving. I thought it had some really great cultural touches and a nice message, that despite moving, family is always near and you can be happy in a new place. I would highly recommend this to anyone with kids getting ready to move as it may provide the kids with some comfort.
saracat's review
4.0
The style this book is written in reminds me a little bit of [b:Locomotion|272342|Locomotion|Jacqueline Woodson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328006579l/272342._SY75_.jpg|264049]; many different poems, but together they tell a story of the changes the characters are going through.
I adore the art style used throughout the book.
I adore the art style used throughout the book.
snazel's review
4.0
Moving is hard, and these siblings don't want to do it. But with help from family members who've done this before, they find things to appreciate about the place they leave, the trip, and the new place.
Has a lot more words than a normal picture book. They kinda read like poems? Older-listener picture book.
Has a lot more words than a normal picture book. They kinda read like poems? Older-listener picture book.
readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
Told in verse, this beautiful story will stoke a chord with many young readers as they think about leaving a home they've known for awhile. Gracie and Jake are siblings about to embark on an adventure to move to a new home. While one is excited, the other is sad. Loved the two voices and the illustrations are gorgeous!
michelle_neuwirth_gray9311's review
3.0
For the most part I liked the poems. I just didn't feel the illustrations really represented the feel of the story. I didn't feel the culture of the family really matched up with the Chinese words and characters.
tashrow's review
4.0
Told in individual poems, this is the story of a brother and sister who must move away from San Francisco and the extended family they have there, including their beloved Nai Nai. Before they leave, their grandmother gives them empty boxes to fill with reminders of where they have been. For Jake there is a penny, gum rolled into a snake shape, and a blue-green marble. For Gracie, there is a panda from home, a eucalyptus leaf, and one final elusive element from home. The children have adventures in the airport, make the transition to a new home with wintry weather, and throughout their connection with their family and their heritage stays strong.
Ling writes poems that shine with warmth. She captures what it feels like to be a beloved child in an extended family and the angst of leaving that place for another. Wrapped throughout the poems are references to China and Chinese-American culture that makes this book a real joy for its diversity that stays so strong throughout. The poems are individual but work together into a picture book that offers a way to cope with a move and to capture the changes and experiences along the way.
Chau’s illustrations are bright and friendly. The children are small on the page compared to the adults, and their size changes with the emotions they are feeling. Both are bright rays of colors on the page with their banana yellow and plum outfits. The illustrations too swirl with Chinese characters as well as symbols like the phoenix and dragons.
This book speaks to the emotions of moving through lovely poetry but also a concrete way to focus on the positive in the change. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Ling writes poems that shine with warmth. She captures what it feels like to be a beloved child in an extended family and the angst of leaving that place for another. Wrapped throughout the poems are references to China and Chinese-American culture that makes this book a real joy for its diversity that stays so strong throughout. The poems are individual but work together into a picture book that offers a way to cope with a move and to capture the changes and experiences along the way.
Chau’s illustrations are bright and friendly. The children are small on the page compared to the adults, and their size changes with the emotions they are feeling. Both are bright rays of colors on the page with their banana yellow and plum outfits. The illustrations too swirl with Chinese characters as well as symbols like the phoenix and dragons.
This book speaks to the emotions of moving through lovely poetry but also a concrete way to focus on the positive in the change. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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