Synopsis: 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.
Release Date: 29th October 2020
Format read: Ebook
Genres: Children’s, Picture Book
Pages: 48
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Press Publishing for the E-arc copy to read and review.
Review: What a sweet story of not fitting in and not understanding why things are done differently in your family to others to then embracing and loving your culture for what it is.
Young Ming really wanted to be just liked everyone else in her school, sing in the choir and decorate a Christmas tree in the house, but that’s not part of her families culture and her mom says no every time. Then her dad takes her on a wonderful trip for her to understand everything.
It was honestly such a sweet book, it had a great lesson within it and great illustrations too.
Where to buy: Amazon UK
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