Today's read... Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance by Kat Zhang

I want to scream 'Happy book birthday!' to today's read, but it doesn't come out for four more days. So, it's close but not quite. This is one in a series of books surrounding the cute character Amy Wu. I can say that because I have already joined Amy Wu on an adventure or two and do smile at her antics. These take a peek into the Asian culture, while giving kids ideas for crafts, cooking and more.

AMY WU AND THE RIBBON DANCE

by Kat Zhang

Illustrated by Charlene Chua

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

COMING MAY 30th!!!

When Amy Wu learns about Chinese ribbon dancing, she can’t wait to try it out herself in this charming and brightly illustrated fourth installment in the Amy Wu picture book series.

Amy Wu loves to move. From wriggling to shimmying to toe-tapping, she just can’t keep still, not when there’s music all around her! So when Amy sees Chinese ribbon dancing for the first time, she has to try it out. Only, how can she throw the perfect dance party when she doesn’t have the perfect ribbon for her dance?

A special story from Mom may be just the thing to get Amy moving to the music again.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /   B&N    /    KOBO

MY TIDBITS

Amy Wu's curiosity and energy radiates from every page and is more than a little contagious.

Amy Wu always has something to do and seems to be in constant movement. It's almost driving her mother insane, but when Amy sees girls dancing on a show, she knows what to do next. Dance. But dancing alone is a little boring. With a few friends and their instruments, she's ready...but the dance ribbons are still missing. She tries to construct her own, but finding the right materials isn't as easy as she thought it would be.

I had to smile during the first pages as Amy Wu wiggles and jumps and squiggles and leaps everywhere and that non-stop. It makes a reader want to bounce around with her. When the instruments and ribbons come into play, Amy's excitement, again, has readers wanting to join in. So, while this book does tell a fun tale about friendship, frustration, and working things out, it also inspires to get moving, make instruments, and dance. 

The illustrations are as cheerful as Amy Wu and let the atmosphere radiate with bright illustrations. Even when she's a little frustrated, the scenes come across clear and without bogging down in negativity. There are moments to giggle and moments to sigh. It keeps the read in the pages and makes Amy Wu come across like a normal, bubbly girl.

While there are messages surrounding friendship and problem-solving, the author also weaves in aspects of the Chinese culture. The dancing girls on the show are well-illustrated and do invite with their costumes and grace. As for the dancing ribbons...well that makes a great project for readers to enjoy themselves. There are instructions at the end of the book and ideas on how they can be constructed as well.

This is a nice edition to the Amy Wu series and does more than simply offer a pleasant read.

And her she is...

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. You can learn more about her at KatZhang.com. 

Charlene Chua draws many things, from baos to dragons, and everything in-between. When they are not drawing, they enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with their cats. Charlene grew up in Singapore, an now lives in Canada. Her favorite baos are still char siu baos, and her favorite dumplings are air-fryer wontons!