Publishers Weekly
★ 12/06/2021
In this richly metaphoric celebration of Chinese American identity, Chen (Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex) offers a love letter from two parents to their child Mei: “You carry a golden flame... and it’s always with you.” Emigrating from China to New York City—signified by Lady Liberty—Mei’s parents adjust with Mei’s help, as displayed in a particularly striking spread: “In this upside-down world, clever child, you have become our teacher and translator,” the text reads, as the neon billboards of Times Square reflect a clear, star-studded night sky above the family’s home in China. Subsequent pages acknowledge that Mei may face othering (“People tell you that you’re different and you can’t be one of them”), before lyrical, sensorial spreads affirm power in difference: “You are the lotus flower unfurling—triumphant and bright—in the darkest water.... Your voice is the call of the magpie, joyful and unapologetic.” Luminous, gently textured digital art by Diao (Sarah and the Big Wave) includes thoughtful, recognizably Chinese cues that add further dimension, including a jade necklace and a good fortune–signifying upside-down Fú character. A loving, affecting tribute to how children of immigrants can serve as bridges and torchbearers for their communities. Back matter includes author’s and illustrator’s notes. Ages 4–6. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
Praise for I Am Golden:
An Instant New York Times Bestseller!
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, with Outstanding Merit
"In these pages, cultural triumphs live next to snug family dinners, and all of it matters as the parents set their child aloft. Every child should be launched by such words of love and confidence. ... Salve on the wounds of racism, this is a transporting invitation to be different, go forward, and meet your destiny." —School Library Journal, starred review
"[A] richly metaphoric celebration of Chinese American identity ... Luminous, gently textured digital art by Diao includes thoughtful, recognizably Chinese cues that add further dimension ... A loving, affecting tribute to how children of immigrants can serve as bridges and torchbearers for their communities." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"From the outset, this gorgeous picture book exudes joy and celebration of identity. Through dazzling illustrations, Diao brings to exuberant life best-selling Chinese American author Chen’s message of finding love and power in one’s differences. ... This powerful and uplifting story captures [Chinese] American joy and is a definite must-read." —Booklist, starred review
"An immigrant couple’s empowering love letter to their child. ... Diao’s lovely digital artwork works in tandem with Chen’s rich textual imagery to celebrate Chinese culture, family history, and language. ... A shining affirmation of Chinese American identity." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Perfectly matched text and illustration ... Every gorgeous spread in Chen and Diao's co-creation maintains this exceptional and precise text and art symbiosis. ... Chen and Diao weave the inherent value of the child throughout, aiming to encourage Asian American children to claim, 'I am golden.'" —Shelf Awareness
"An uplifting story that seeks to teach Asian American children about self-love and validation." —People
"I am crying at the power and beauty of this book ... Celebrating culture and history as well as individualism!" —Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company (Seattle, WA)
Praise for Colors of Awesome!:
"Vivid and highly engaging ... will dutifully pique the interest of young readers and can serve as an invitation for exploring more about the lives of the thought leaders and changemakers featured here. ... Recommended for picture book collections and collective biography shelves." —School Library Journal
Praise for Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex:
"Eva Chen has really hit the mark with her Juno Valentine series, but is branching out into children's literature in a huge way with Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex...It's not often you can find a children's book that pleases both the child and the parent reading it 800 times, but ROXY feels like a good fit. And any picture book that makes me want to wallpaper my house with its pages is more than OK by me." —Romper
Praise for 3 2 1 Awesome!:
"Counting down from 20, this charming board book profiles strong contemporary and historical women ... The choices are solid and represent a diverse range of women and professions." —Booklist
Praise for A Is for Awesome!:
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller!
"That theme of swinging for the fences and going for it is the undercurrent in this book. Even though it’s about how they’re all awesome, the real undercurrent is, 'Look at all these people who are superheroes who are just like you.' I try to tell that to my daughter." —Hasan Minhaj, in Huffpost
Praise for Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes:
A New York Times Bestseller!
Featured in Oprah Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide
Recommended by Rachael Ray as the perfect holiday gift
Featured in InStyle's Holiday Gift Guide
“[A] fresh take on a fairy tale.” —Forbes.com
“Those who are 3, 13, or 30 can all enjoy the book.” —Vogue.com
"Not only does this book pay homage to some of history's greatest women, it also gives them snaps for their fashion sense." —Romper
"Kids need more books like this." —HelloGiggles
"[This book is] not going to drop without a bang." —Refinery29
"[A] charming story." —MyDomaine
“Chen proves that the accessory can actually provide an important teachable moment for young kids.” —WhoWhatWear
School Library Journal
★ 04/29/2022
PreS-Gr 2— In lockstep with Eyes That Kiss at the Corner by Joanna Ho comes Chen's glorious tribute to a small beloved girl, who is everything to her parents, and who becomes everything to readers, too. Her eyes "point to the sun" while her hair is "inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. We see skin brushed with gold." This is an immigrant's child born here, who acts as translator for her parents, still struggling with English as their second language. They know they will not be with her when she is called out for being different, and their advanced heartbreak does not prevent it. But they do the best they can. "You are never alone," and there is "power in being different." This makes the leap from the story of one darling Asian girl and her large backpack to a universal story of acculturation and love; the writing is grounded in wonderful notions, but it is Diao's illustrations that make abstract ideas accessible. "I am golden" becomes an anthem, a mantra, and harkening to the ancestors, and the languid watercolor-like illustrations are comfortable in straddling school scenes and those of dragons and phoenixes. In these pages, cultural triumphs live next to snug family dinners, and all of it matters as the parents set their child aloft. Every child should be launched by such words of love and confidence. Includes notes from both author and illustrator. VERDICT Salve on the wounds of racism, this is a transporting invitation to be different, go forward, and meet your destiny.—Kimberly Olson Fakih
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2022-02-09
An immigrant couple’s empowering love letter to their child.
Baby Mei rests in her parents’ embrace, flanked by Chinese architecture on one side and the New York skyline on the other. She will be a bridge across the “oceans and worlds and cultures” that separate her parents from their homeland, China. Mei—a Chinese word which means beautiful—shares a name with her family’s new home: Měi Guó (America). Her parents acknowledge the hypocrisy of xenophobia: “It’s a strange world we live in—people will call you different with one breath and then say that we all look the same with the next angry breath.” Mei will have the responsibility of being “teacher and translator” to her parents. They might not be able to completely shield her from racism, othering, and the pressures of assimilation, but they can reassure and empower her—and they do. Mei and young readers are encouraged to rely on the “golden flame” of strength, power, and hope they carry within them. The second-person narration adds intimacy to the lyrical text. Diao’s lovely digital artwork works in tandem with Chen’s rich textual imagery to celebrate Chinese culture, family history, and language. The illustrations incorporate touchstones of Chinese mythology and art—a majestic dragon, a phoenix, and lotus flowers—as well as family photographs. One double-page spread depicts a lineup of notable Chinese Americans. In the backmatter, Chen and Diao relay their own family stories of immigration. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A shining affirmation of Chinese American identity. (Picture book. 4-6)
