Review by Booklist Review
It's dim sum day for the enthusiastic narrator of this picture book, and that means gathering with extended family at a restaurant, waiting to be seated, choosing tasty treats from the cart, and--finally!--sharing the delicious food together. In cartoonish scenes rendered in soft watercolors, Lam lovingly portrays not only the family camaraderie but also the baskets of dumplings, rolls, tarts, and other delights. The girl is eager for her favorite, char siu buns, but she has to wait her turn for the basket to come her way. When it finally does, she happily shares it with her little sister, and later, when they're full and home, her sister returns the favor by splitting an egg tart with her. 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.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Sharing, caring, and cultural traditions mark a Chinese American family's weekly meal together in author-illustrator Lam's delectable picture book. "Every Sunday, our whole family meets to share dim sum," begins this title's unnamed young narrator, referencing an event that brings together grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins--a dozen in all. While they wait for a table, "Uncle Irvin takes us around the restaurant," noting the cat statue that stands for good luck, and fish tanks whose "dancing fish" mean "good feng shui." 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. The only tension is the narrator's impatience--"Will it ever be my turn?"--as Lam's yummy watercolor and colored pencil art depicts char siu buns, pork dumplings, and spring rolls that are surely worth the wait. Ages 4--8. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
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 LeBris
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
It's dim sum time! Every Sunday, a child's family meets at a dim sum restaurant, and right from the first page (or even the delectable endpapers), the excitement is palpable. This is going to be a full-on experience. Bright watercolor illustrations outlined lightly with colored pencil offer a charming view of this apparently Chinese extended family of a dozen members. The narrator exudes enthusiasm with expressive dot eyes and a wide mouth as they greet everyone and enter the restaurant. There's a wait, but Uncle Irvin takes the cousins around the restaurant to see the good-fortune kumquat plant, the good-luck cat statue, and the fish tank. Then it's time to eat. There's jasmine tea and carts stacked high with bamboo baskets full of food--too many dim sum options to choose from. 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. "Tap tap tap! Tap tap tap! Tapping your finger on the table means thank you." Grandma also teaches the child to wait their turn for the Lazy Susan. The spread listing every person it passes on its way around is delightfully suspenseful, worth the char siu bun at the end. Every small pleasure of this outing seems thrilling, but there's also a comfortable ease to this family, shown in all their loving ways. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Delicious. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
