Thursday, December 10, 2020

Book Review: Ming's Christmas Wish

The picture book, Ming's Christmas Wish, is a sweet story of a Chinese girl who wants to fit in with the other children, but is not having much success. There are heartwarming moments and the story is full of beautiful descriptions of the setting that really pull the reader in. Ming's family has a surprising depth for a children's book as they've tried to adapt their way of life and traditions in America. 

My favorite part of the book is when Ming goes with her father for the day and they visit lifelong friends who talk of the old days and share what the intricate carvings in their cabin mean. The author hints at prejudices toward the Chinese people, but the main focus was about a girl finding where she belongs in between two cultures and making new traditions. The illustrations were eye-catching and colorful for this tender Christmas story. This is one you'll want to add to your family's Christmas collection!

Get your copy here

Here is the back copy:

Inspired by family stories.

Ming wishes for three things at Christmas. First, to sing in the school Christmas choir. Second, to have a Christmas tree like the one in the department store window. And third, to feel she belongs somewhere.

As a daughter of immigrants in 1930s California, Ming is often treated differently than other children at school. She’s pointedly not invited to sing in the Christmas choir. At home, when Ming lobbies her parents for a Christmas tree, her mother scolds her for trying to be American. Ming doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere: she’s not quite American enough at school, not quite Chinese enough at home.

Seeing his daughter’s unhappiness, Pop takes her into the mountains to visit a wise old friend. Always happy for an adventure with her kind father, Ming hopes to persuade Pop to bring home a mountain pine to be their Christmas tree. But he has something else in mind, something that will help Ming draw strength from nature, from their Chinese heritage, and from deep and enduring family ties.

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