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soupisreading's review
4.0
4.5 STARS
A review copy was provided by courtesy of Holiday House Publishing, Inc.
Making friends isn't easy, especially when none of you speaks the same language. One thing we know is that Asian cultures show they care through food. It's a given that we make friends this way too!
Luli and the Language of Tea is a heartwarming picture book that communicates care and hospitality, just like tea. For children, it teaches friendship and sharing. For adults, it reminds us that there's a lot more in common we have with one another than we thought.
I enjoyed the storyline and the art. It features a class of racially diverse students studying ESL, each of who plays a role in this story. I love the variation of skin tones, inclusion of the word "tea" in their native language and the gorgeous illustrations of the teacups they use in each country. There's a little history section at the end that shows how each country typically drinks tea, and it's on my bucket list to try the many possible ways to drink it! Overall, it's entirely wholesome and a good start to Asian Pacific Month.
A review copy was provided by courtesy of Holiday House Publishing, Inc.
Making friends isn't easy, especially when none of you speaks the same language. One thing we know is that Asian cultures show they care through food. It's a given that we make friends this way too!
Luli and the Language of Tea is a heartwarming picture book that communicates care and hospitality, just like tea. For children, it teaches friendship and sharing. For adults, it reminds us that there's a lot more in common we have with one another than we thought.
I enjoyed the storyline and the art. It features a class of racially diverse students studying ESL, each of who plays a role in this story. I love the variation of skin tones, inclusion of the word "tea" in their native language and the gorgeous illustrations of the teacups they use in each country. There's a little history section at the end that shows how each country typically drinks tea, and it's on my bucket list to try the many possible ways to drink it! Overall, it's entirely wholesome and a good start to Asian Pacific Month.
jojodoug55's review
4.0
Adorable, relatable, universal. I question whether young children drink tea, but the sentiment is beautiful and well executed. The ending is a bit abrupt, though.
firadraco's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bickie's review
4.0
Immigrant children from China, Kazakhstan, India, Turkey, Iran, Morocco, Kenya, Germany, Brazil, and Chile find connection in the United States while their adults are in English class by sharing tea, the word for which sounds somewhat similar in all their home languages. Great to pair with Drawn Together, Gibberish, and/or Mango, Abuela, and Me to explore ways to communicate that do not include spoken language.
Illustrations include a woman in a hijab and people with various skin tones from pink to dark brown.
Includes end notes about common ways to drink tea in the home countries.
Illustrations include a woman in a hijab and people with various skin tones from pink to dark brown.
Includes end notes about common ways to drink tea in the home countries.
redang's review
4.0
A sweet story of a girl in an English as a Second Language class who brings tea to share with her vastly diverse class. Using a simple thing, such as tea, to bridge the gap between all of these children who speak different languages shows how commonalities exist between all groups of people. The book also gives a brief history of tea using all the countries represented in the book. A cute way to show children that we are all alike, even though we all have differences.
karathephoenix's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kelleemoye's review
5.0
Andrea Wang has brought us a story in an emergent bilingual classroom showing how there are ways to communicate past knowing the same language. I loved that Luli knew how to bring her classmates together and that the adults in the room were supportive. This is such a beautiful message for all the readers of this book: children and adults.
Oh, and when you finish the beautiful book there is backmatter that truly brings it all to the next level. The note from the author makes the book personal and the notes about the children & language in the book brings linguistics and geography to the book.
Oh, and when you finish the beautiful book there is backmatter that truly brings it all to the next level. The note from the author makes the book personal and the notes about the children & language in the book brings linguistics and geography to the book.
waterviolite's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bldinmt's review
5.0
This book was one of those that seemed written FOR ME. It was so very much up my alley.
Languages from around the world - check! Tea drinking - check! Lovely art - check! Promoting diversity and inclusion and finding common ground - check!
Languages from around the world - check! Tea drinking - check! Lovely art - check! Promoting diversity and inclusion and finding common ground - check!