Dancing Dumplings for My One and Only

Gr 2-4–Grandma is a reassuring constant in her grandchild’s life, whether they are doing tai chi in the park or making dumplings together. But what about when Grandma gets sick; when even her breath seems tired sometimes? Seasons change and the grandchild waits for Grandma to recover in this story about illness, family, and growing up. The child’s mom also spends time with and later helps care for Grandma, with many scenes of all three generations present. The illustrations are warm and friendly, combining a playful modern style with classic motifs like Xiangyun (祥云) “auspicious clouds” and a color pallet reminiscent of yangkai (洋彩) or ‘famille rose’ porcelain, elements commonly found in Nyonyaware. Despite dealing with heavier topics than many picture books, the story is gentle and the illustrations bright, making it suitable for a variety of readers and occasions.