December 1, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 As snowflakes fall, a girl remembers winter's pleasures. But nearby, her mother huddles in warm, quilted jackets even indoors and remembers the warm winter rains in her childhood home. Longing to go back there, she takes her daughter to see it. The weather is hot and humid, and even on the distant mountains, there's no snow in sight. Noticeably happier, Mama takes her daughter to meet their relatives. They visit a farm and explore the wooded countryside. After the trip, Mama retreats indoors again, tending her houseplants, but her daughter takes her on winter walks and helps her learn the names of trees and, in spring, flowers. They plant a garden together, and Mama gradually becomes happier in their current home. Chen, who immigrated from China to Canada at age 10, captures the beauty of both settings and the emotions of the main characters in a series of colorful, expressive gouache paintings. A British Canadian Taiwanese writer, Lee writes with sensitivity for both the child and the mother. An encouraging picture book, particularly for other children of immigrants.
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January 22, 2024
In this tender familial narrative, a child works to make a garden in a snowy place whose climate differs from Mama’s homeland. Though they’ve never visited it, the unnamed child narrator knows that “the summers there are hot and humid, and the winters are filled with warm rain.” And, indeed, the air is “thick and heavy” when the two travel there to visit Mama’s sister. The siblings share a long hug when reunited, and Mama, who becomes more talkative, takes long hikes with her child and reveals abundant knowledge of plants, animals, and the environment—names that the child repeats in Mandarin. Back at home in the snowy winter, Mama reverts to her reclusive self, prompting the child to learn—and teach—how “nature here can be wondrous too.” Lee’s lovable characters, portrayed with pale skin and dark hair, organically introduce the natural world into the story line, and Chen’s digitally edited gouache illustrations depict the impact of getting to know its diversity. A glossary concludes. Ages 3–7.
Starred review from February 1, 2024
K-Gr 2-When the temperature drops and snow begins to fall, Mama's smile is nowhere to be found as she snuggles up in her favorite quilted jackets to wait out the interminable winter months. This year, Mama gets to take her child to China to visit relatives and explore a place where cold is rare and plants abound. After their trip, the duo returns to their snowy home and Mama's smile disappears once more. But joy can be found anywhere, and together, Mama and her child find ways to unite their favorite things about both locales. This heartfelt story beautifully depicts the sorrow that can be felt during the cold winter months, especially when one has come from a completely different environment. Watercolor illustrations merge with childlike crayon drawings in a way that compares how the characters view the world even as they coexist. The unnamed child is not gendered, and as there is no father figure; the relationship between the mother and child is one of mutual support. Synergy between the descriptions of plant interconnection and the depiction of the featured family makes the book particularly memorable. A glossary at the end helps to orient readers to some of the potentially unfamiliar terminology used within the book, and both plant terms and Mandarin language can be found within the text. VERDICT This beautiful story of love, resilience, and family will appeal to readers of all ages.-Mary R. Lanni
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
February 15, 2024
Mama dislikes the cold, but her child is determined to help her appreciate winter. The child watches from the window, rapt, as snow falls. But Mama, bundled in her quilted jacket, "doesn't like the winter." The child, who narrates, adds, "She never wants to go outside." Mama misses the mild winters and humid climate of her homeland, but the protagonist has never been there and knows it only from Mama's bedtime stories. But this winter, they'll be visiting Mama's sister. As the two arrive in Mama's homeland (though it isn't explicitly named in the text, backmatter makes clear that it's Taiwan), the child sees rolling hills golden with sunshine and thinks, "No wonder Mama doesn't like winter!" A packed schedule eventually leads mother and child up the mountains. Mama also teaches her child about the vegetables they eat on Uncle's farm. When they return home, Mama stays indoors, bundled up. Meanwhile the child does some research and finds a way to bring Taiwan to Mama. Touched by the little one's dedication, Mama brightens. Charming cartoon illustrations are infused with a warm glow, even during wintry scenes. The narrator's growing appreciation for nature and love for Mama shine throughout the concise, matter-of-fact text. A guide to the plants mentioned follows. An endearing tale about the importance of fostering love and connection--no matter where home is. (Picture book. 5-8)
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