On the surface, this is a picture book about celebrating the Chinese New Year, but at its center, it is a story of homecoming. A girl--whose eyes can barely peer over her mother's dressing table--rises early with her mother. Papa is coming home today from his work far away, for the New Year's celebration. Author and artist, who both live in Ninjing, introduce the neighborhood, as Papa takes young Maomao with him to get a haircut. The next day, Papa takes his daughter up to the rooftop to watch a serpentine dragon cross a bridge, gleaming in the sunlight.
The artist creates large scenes as skillfully as more intimate close-ups. Maomao finds the "fortune coin" in her sticky rice ball, signifying good luck for the New Year. She builds a snowman with a friend in the courtyard. Just when Maomao thinks she's lost her fortune coin, she discovers it on her bedroom floor. But she finds an even better place for it: with Papa. "Next time you're back, we can bury it in the sticky rice ball again!" she says. "Daddy is very quiet. He nods and hugs me tight." The image of Maomao about to place the coin in his hand speaks volumes for the love they share. Gestural brushstrokes portray her head tilted downward, putting on a brave face, while Papa feels both pride at his daughter and sorrow at his parting. A love that will last the whole year through. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness