REVIEWS for Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi (餃子)

BOOK REVIEWS

           

  • Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers’ Favorite and Barnes & Noble, author of the Josh Avril series and the Fallen Powers series

Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi (餃子) by Eugenia Chu is an illustrated children’s story that mixes American and Chinese cultures, bringing not only traditions together, but also the two languages. Brandon’s parents live in the United States, but the boy’s grandmother lives in China, and she comes for a visit. What follows is a series of high energy experiences focused on Brandon’s favorite Chinese food and his grandmother. The book includes a preface describing how to pronounce Chinese syllables and a glossary of Chinese words and numbers.

The book is filled with humor, fun, and simple child-like drawings. You can feel Brandon’s energy as he prepares (or so attempts) his favorite dish with his grandmother, but more importantly bonding with a family member who has come from far away. I appreciate how this story is based in the reality of the author, Eugenia Chu, and how her life experience is shared in this book. Family is paramount, and something as simple as preparing food together can make positive memories that could last the lifetime of Brandon. Sharing these experiences allows the reader to appreciate the values of this happy family.

Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi not only helps two cultures to harmonize through family, but it also can be helpful for family members who are separated over long distances. This story can help children appreciate family, and guide them in creating positive memories themselves. I am so glad I was able to review this outstanding story and I heartily recommend it to families with young children the world over.

  • Reviewed by Carole Roman for Goodreads and Amazon, award-winning author of over fifty children’s books including the Captain No Beard series, If You Were Me and Lived in – series, and the Oh Susannah series, among others

Adorable story about Brandon and his experience making dumplings with his grandmother. This is such a cute book on so many levels. Sprinkled throughout are Chinese sentences that are written phonetically so that the reader can sound out the Chinese words. Brandon makes the dumplings with his grandmother, spilling a mountain of flour on the floor and himself, and then acts like a ghost. He eats all the dumplings up, and the family enjoys watching his antics. It’s nice to read a book where the idea of family is embraced and revered. Neatly told, charmingly illustrated, somehow I think this is an important book to the Chu family, and it feels like it based on a memorable family experience.

  • Reviewed by Serendipity Marieon for Amazon, Goodreads and LibraryThings

Amazing!!!

This brings in all the parts I am interested in: Culture, History, Family, and Food. We are the members of our family who gather together the family stories, history (family and otherwise), recipes and love learning about our cultures as well as others. I would love to have gotten this book even if I did not have grandbabies to share this wonderful tale with. As I opened it, my daughter saw it while I quickly flipped through it in the car. She immediately said she wanted to read it. I had to put my foot down and insist on reading it first. It has become one that will be in my library for good. Nanny (grandma) now has another wonderful book to share with the grandbabies and someday great grandbabies.

I received this as a goodreads giveaway. I am very thankful for it.

  • Reviewed by Lisa for goread.com

I love, love, love this book! I have grandbabies to read it to but would have loved it anyway. The culture, food, and most importantly, family connections make this a MUST READ!! This has been put in my personal library and will be well loved by grandbabies and great grandbabies to come.

  • Reviewed by Maritza Mejia for Goodreads

This enjoyable story includes some conversational in Mandarin Chinese and a preface that explains Pinyin pronunciation. It is written in a way you can interconnect the relation between a Chinese grandmother and her Chinese-American grandson.

The story begins when Brandon’s mother surprises him after school with his grandma, Pó Po, from China. When they get home, the action begins when they decided to make Chinese dumplings, called jiǎo zi. Brandon enjoys the adventure while making a big mess in the kitchen and having a good time with Pó Po.
While making the Chinese dumplings, the author Eugenia Chu, introduces words in Mandarin and the meaning. It’s a conversation easy to follow that engage the characters in a bond over the experience in the kitchen.

Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi has a great lesson for grandmothers and encourages family traditions.

Congratulations Eugenia Chu!

For more reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Brandon-Makes-x1CE-x9903-x5B50-ebook/product-reviews/B076CQJ1J2/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_top?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews