Review: Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang

AMY WU AND THE PERFECT BAO

by Kat Zhang

Illustrated by Charlene Chua

Aladdin

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

OCTOBER 1st, 2019!!!

Meet the funny, fierce, and fearless Amy Wu, who is determined to make a perfect bao bun today. Can she rise to the occasion?

Amy loves to make bao with her family. But it takes skill to make the bao taste and look delicious. And her bao keep coming out all wrong.

Then she has an idea that may give her a second chance…Will Amy ever make the perfect bao?

MY TIDBITS

Determination and a love for a delicious food hit a little silliness and tons of family support in this fun read, which is sure to direct interest to the kitchen and foreign foods.

Amy Wu loves Bao. It's one of her most favorite things to eat. Everyone in her family can make them. Perfectly. But she can't. They're either too small or falling apart or too doughy...it's always a mess. But Amy Wu isn't about to give up and creates a Bao making plan. Maybe she'll find the secret to creating a perfect one herself.

I already am a bao fan. So, this book hit me and my family just right. Still, Amy Wu is a treat too. Her energy and bright attitude shine off of every page even when things don't go her way. She's positive, determined and so full of life. Mix it with her joyful family, who is ready to support her and a white cat, who almost every kid would like to have as a companion and this is simply a fun read.

The illustrations are whimsical and as energetic as Amy Wu. Young listeners can follow the story themselves, when flipping through the pages alone. But of course, the most fun is watching while listening to it read aloud. Every page demonstrates the positive atmosphere and accompanies the story nicely.

As an extra treat, Amy Wu's family recipe is in the back pages and begs to be used. This is a great way to add to the story telling treat and introduce kids not only to the kitchen but to a food they might not have known before.

This book is getting a two, big thumbs up from us.

And here they are...

The Author...

Kat Zhang loves traveling to places both real and fictional—the former have better souvenirs, but the latter allow for dragons so it's a tough choice. A writer of books for teens and children, she spends her free time scribbling poetry, taking photographs, and climbing atop things she shouldn't. Visit her online at katzhangwriter.com and on Twitter @KatZhang and Instagram @katyhangwriter.

The Illustrator...

Charlene Chua draws many things, from baos to dragons to, literally, the kitchen sink. When she is not drawing, she enjoys playing or talking to her cats (they listen politely, most of the time). Charlene grew up in Singapore and now lives in Canada. Her favorite boas are "char siu" boas! Vists her online at charlenechua.com and on Twitter and Instagram @charlenedraws.