Young Mei learns from her beloved Grandpa Tu, master noodle maker, how to find the magic within her and follow in his footsteps, in this story of family, apprenticeship and finding one's calling by Roseanne Greenfield Thong (Round Is a Mooncake).
Grandpa Tu makes "magic with his hands and a bit of dough." Mei watches as he conjures cats, birds and flying fish with his noodles. "If only I had your gift," Mei tells him. "I think you just might," her Grandpa replies. On the day before the emperor's birthday, Grandpa helps Mei slap, knead and stretch the dough. "The rest is up to you," he urges. "Trust in yourself, Mei." Even the Moon Goddess, whose help Mei seeks, tells her, "magic must come from within." Meilo So's (Brush of the Gods) thriving city streets resemble theatrical backdrops as Chinese villagers prepare for the emperor's birthday. Women hang fish from line stretched over balconies, a man plays music on the corner, and a mother carrying a child on her back balances a chicken, flowers and more on a bamboo pole. Colors crowd but never overwhelm the pages, like banners and confetti suggesting a festive atmosphere.
In words and pictures, Thong and So convey the unbeatable combination of faith and hard work. Mei gets strong guidance from Grandpa Tu and the Moon Goddess, but she must not only make the necessary preparations (slap, knead, stretch), she must also believe in herself. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness