Ping's perfect pot

PreS-Gr 3--The customs and traditions of Lunar New Year celebrations are shared through the story of Ping, her grandpa, and the creation of the perfect pot for their tangerine tree. As Grandpa tidies and prepares their home for the New Year, Ping diligently works on crafting a pot that incorporates various significant items and symbols intended to attract good fortune and prosperity. In a very child-friendly way, Ping tries different crafting materials and methods, easily explaining the whys behind different designs and colors. Although she experiences moments of frustration when her creations do not meet her expectations, Ping remains determined and perseveres until she successfully constructs a pot that not only holds together but also prominently features numerous important symbols. Bright illustrations capture the resilience of youth by highlighting Ping's many emotions while also capturing the essence of the holiday through intricate details, such as the lanterns and trees in the marketplace, as well as the subtle transformations occurring in their home as Grandpa works to get ready for the family reunion feast. Yang's artwork is so thoroughly thought out that pre-readers can enjoy the story by looking at the pictures. VERDICT A gentle, relevant holiday story and a welcome addition to Lunar New Year collections.--Cassie Veselovsky

A young Chinese girl discovers the beauty of imperfection during a Lunar New Year celebration. When Grandpa picks up a tangerine tree at the market, Ping's excited ("It will bring prosperity and good luck"). She decides that the leafy new resident needs a "perfect pot," so she gathers her clay and gets to work. Ping deems her first effort too "clumsy." Meanwhile, Grandpa cleans up around her and gently urges her on. The evenly paced narrative is artfully spotted with onomatopoeias as Ping attempts various media with rigor: She uses papier-mâché and vials of colorful glitter and tries to wrap yarn around a bowl. But nothing is just right. Yang fills every page with bright hues and intricate details, creating vivid scenes. Alluring illustrations show Grandpa decorating the house for the festivities as he urges Ping to persevere. Through Grandpa's dialogue, Wu provides pragmatic examples on how to take a mindful approach to challenges, and finally, after taking a deep breath, Ping realizes her artistic vision. Grandpa praises her, but "something is still missing." Ping eventually finds beauty within the flaws of her prior projects and decides to include them in the final celebratory display, each holding plants of their own. Her embrace of all aspects of the creative process makes for a delightful holiday tale. A charming story of encouragement, illustrated with life and movement. (information on Lunar New Year traditions, author's note)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.