PEI'S PINEAPPLE CAKES
by Crystal Z. Lee
Illustrated by Allie Su
Balestier Press
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 9
While visiting her grandmother in central Taiwan, Pei finds herself in the middle of a mystery. The pineapple cakes from her grandmother's bakery have disappeared! Soon Pei is collecting clues as she embarks on a quest to find the missing pineapple cakes.
From the traditional Taiwanese artisans' craftsmanship to the picturesque villages of central Taiwan, Pei discovers the beauty of her grandmother's home. This is a story of courage, adventure, and the love between grandchildren and grandparents.
Pei's Pineapple Cakes is an elaborately illustrated picture book that makes an ideal gift:
Real locations from central Taiwan make for an inspiring geographical, historical and cultural reading experience
Storyline sparks dialogue around kindness, empathy, courage, and resilience
Exquisite illustrations of Taiwanese artisans' craftsmanship foster appreciation for heritage and traditions
Bilingual text in English and Mandarin encourages learning in both languages
Book on Amazon
MY TIDBITS
What begins as a little mystery turns into an exciting adventure with many things to see and people to meet.
Pei's mother drops her off at her grandmother's before heading off to work. Pei isn't too happy about it until she smells Grandmother's pineapple cakes. Her grandmother wants to give her some, but the last batch has suddenly disappeared. Pei's on the case and decides to follow the clues. The trail leads Pei and her grandmother to a tea shop, a basket shop, and even farther away. As the day continues, they discover many things together, but the pineapple cakes are still nowhere to be found.
These pages pack cultural goodness in the sweetest way. Pei's disappointment in the beginning draws in and will have readers sympathizing with her, but this sadness quickly dissipates as the mystery slides in. The author leads readers through many aspects of the Taiwanese culture and life as they follow clues from one place to the other. Each spot holds kind and friendly artisans, who invite Pei to join in on the activities. And with her grandmother constantly at her side, there's always a sense of wholesome security and love.
The text makes a lovely read-aloud for especially the older end of the age group. It flows well enough, but the goodness lies in the bilingual delivery. The tale is presented in both English and Mandarin on each page. To add extra zest, the illustrations bring the various scenes to life. Readers can explore the details and characters to learn more about each place visited, while gaining a visual understanding of the culture. The atmosphere is always cheerful and friendly as well.
While the language and culture make this a treat for those wanting to learn more about Taiwan, the mystery adds a tiny, hint of tension. Together with Pei's joyful personality and the family warmth, this is a read to pick up and enjoy.
And here she is...
Crystal Z. Lee is a bilingual writer who divides her time between the U.S. and Asia. Crystal grew up in Taipei and later returned to live there in her adult years. Some of Crystal's fondest memories in Taiwan include boating at Sun Moon Lake, chasing butterflies in Maolin, making pineapple cakes and eating her way through night markets with her family. Besides children's books, Crystal's other published works include poetry and a novel. Her other book about Taiwan is titled Kai the Dancing Butterfly. She is also the author of Mei's Mermaid Mission, A Unicorn Named Rin, and Love and Other Moods.
1 comment:
excited to read this book and learn more about Taiwanese culture
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