Review by Booklist Review
Jia would like nothing more than to help at her family's restaurant as they get ready for a New Year's celebration, but every time she tries to participate, they say she's too young. Sulking at the table, Jia doesn't even try any of the delicious, varied dishes laid out and instead waits for the lion dancers to arrive. When they do, everyone discovers that she's just the perfect size for an important part of the performance. Hsu's boldly colored, predominantly red-and-gold illustrations nicely capture the celebratory atmosphere of a Chinese restaurant in a vibrant, multicultural community, especially when the energetic lion dancers arrive and perform for the crowd. Jia's expressive body language and facial expressions clearly communicate her justified frustration at not being taken seriously by the adults in her life, and little kids who are tired of being told they're too small will surely relate. Culturally specific details will be recognizable to families who celebrate the Chinese New Year, and Jia's emotional journey will make this doubly useful for SEL collections.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A child attempts to assist with Chinese New Year celebrations in this bustling holiday picture book. As Jia's family prepares for the new year at their business, Chinatown's biggest restaurant, Jia offers assistance to each member. But every time--in the kitchen, dining room, and even outside--the child is met with the same answer: "You are too young." In a sour mood, Jia continues to feel disappointment as friends and family arrive, and even a sumptuous feast ("dumplings, fish, meatballs, rice cakes, and eight treasure rice puddings") isn't enough to lift the mood. But when the lion dancers arrive, clad in a brilliant golden costume, Jia is thrilled--and even more so when the lion dancers swoop the child up and into the festivities. Against the backdrop of Hsu's gouache and digital art, which depicts myriad cultural details, Compestine uses easy, descriptive prose to detail a series of traditions while affirming the power of involving children at any age. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author's note concludes. Ages 3--7. (Dec.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--"You are too young," Jia's family tells her as she tries to help prepare for Chinese New Year. She's too young to prepare dumplings. Too young to carry the plates. And too young to light the lanterns. But Jia is determined to find a way to help, and when her moment arrives on the day of the lion dances, she roars into action. While the story starts with the predictable trope employed in many picture books featuring younger siblings, a fun plot twist in the middle gives the second half of the book a fresher feel. Vibrant, detailed illustrations carry much of the weight in the story and allow readers to experience the Chinese New Year preparations and festivities in a culturally intimate way. An author's note on Chinese New Year and playful end pages completes the book. VERDICT A solid Chinese New Year tale with delightful illustrations.--Mateal Ishihara
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young Chinese girl is tired of being sidelined by her family. Jia's family owns "the biggest restaurant in Chinatown," and everyone has been busy preparing for Chinese New Year for weeks. Today, Father's cooking in the kitchen, Mother's carrying plates, Aunty's standing on a ladder putting up decorations, Jia's grandmother's lighting the lanterns, and her brother, Hu, is moving chairs. But each time Jia volunteers to help, she's told that she's too young. At last, it's time to celebrate. But Jia's too disappointed to enjoy the holiday. Not even the bags filled with lucky money cheer her up, and as everyone sits down to a sumptuous banquet, Jia refuses to lift her chopsticks. When the dragon dancers arrive, however, she's entranced, despite her grandmother's warning to step back. When Jia is invited to take part, sitting on the shoulders of the lead dancers, she helps the performers do the one thing that will bring luck and prosperity to all. Compestine brings her narrative to a satisfying conclusion that will resonate with kids who have been in Jia's shoes. Bright reds and yellows dominate Hsu's warm and festive gouache and digital artwork, which features a diverse community of people. An author's note explains the significance of the lion dance as well as other Chinese New Year traditions. Celebratory and inspiring, especially for youngsters tired of being told they're too young to contribute.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
