Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Set in the lead-up to the Chinese New Year, Wei's bilingual story follows a father's long journey back home to celebrate the holiday with his family-especially the son, Jiajun, who is eagerly waiting for him. Jiajun's father works at a construction site far from home; getting back requires taking a train, a bus, a ferry, and other vehicles, and the abundant snow isn't making the trip any easier. Throughout, he keeps in touch with Jiajun on his cell phone, his son asking him questions and letting him know what's happening at home ("Daddy, did you cross the Yangtze River yet?"). Despite the bustle and the crowds that he encounters on the trek, Xu's paintings have a wintry hush; Jiajun's father often looks quite weary (and he keeps losing things at various points along the way), but his determination to celebrate the new year with his family is just as evident. It's a quiet reminder of the lengths that parents will go to in order to avoid disappointing their children, especially around the holidays. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-In order to return to his family for the New Year, Jiajun's father takes a train, a long-distance bus, a three-wheeled motorcycle, a ferry, and eventually a long walk through a heavy snowstorm. Along the way he loses an apple, his gloves, and other items, but not a very special present for Jiajun-readers will enjoy searching the illustrations for the missing objects. The child frequently checks in with his father via cell phone, appearing in small black-and-white drawings next to the warm watercolor illustrations showing the man's journey. Once home, the boy and his father celebrate the New Year and enjoy their time together until it's time to return to the big city far away where Jiajun's father works in construction. By centering on the long journey home, young readers will be reassured that faraway parents miss their children just as much as they are missed. The story is told in both English and Chinese (simplified characters) with a brief cultural note at the end. VERDICT A heartwarming tale about the lengths family will go through to be together during the holidays; this will find fans in most collections.-Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
