LaoLao’s Dumplings is a heart-melting children’s book that explores the beautiful relationship between food and family. Written by talented author Dane Liu and illustrated by seasoned artist Shinyeon Moon, the book explores themes of tradition, family, community, and most importantly, food.
The story opens with Millie, a young mixed race Chinese girl, as she is dropped off at her grandmother’s house by her Mama and Papi. Millie and her LaoLao (meaning maternal grandmother in Mandarin Chinese) then traverse across Chinatown, collecting ingredients from her “aunties” and “uncles” to make dumplings.
As LaoLao gets older, Millie takes the dumpling recipe, along with the lessons LaoLao taught to her, to make a special batch of dumplings that showcases the bond between family and community.
The story LaoLao’s Dumplings is a beautiful and delicate representation of a more serious theme: the aging of loved ones and the inevitable changes that accompany time. Liu handles this sensitive subject gracefully and shows the transition LaoLao takes from caretaker to the one who needs care and comfort. This gentle shift in tone teaches kids about empathy and the importance of caring for those who once cared for us.
I loved the way Liu handles Millie carrying on with the dumpling-making tradition even without her LaoLao’s help. Instead, with the help of her parents, along with the support of the Chinatown community, Millie is able to collect all the necessary ingredients and more for her LaoLao. The characters, referred to as “aunties” and “uncles,” although not related by blood, emphasize the broader definition of family bound by shared experiences and mutual care. This part of the story is both inspiring and heart-warming, highlighting the resilience of a tight-knit community.
Even as time goes by, the traditions families chose to preserve show how rituals connect us to our past. This element of the story encourages children and even adults to take more active roles in preserving their family traditions and to make note of the importance of community bonds.
I personally loved this story, not only was it short and simple, it reminded me of my own Grandmother who I call “Pau Pau” as a Cantonese American, and her passing down traditions to me and my siblings. It truly reminded me of the cycle of life and made me cherish those memories even more.
Dane Liu is a wonderful story-teller. She took this simple premise and maximized its potential. Her light humor and heartfelt narrative keeps all readers engaged, regardless of age or background, which is especially important in children’s books.
Shinyeon Moon is also an extremely talented illustrator who deserves every ounce of respect. Each page was filled with vibrant and playful colors that caught my eye as a reader. The subtle details included in the background of each scene will draw children in and allow them to explore the visually stunning world that Millie lives in.
By presenting a story deeply rooted in Chinese cultural traditions, it opens up the possibility for people from diverse backgrounds to learn about other cultures.
Furthermore, for those of Chinese descent, they will get a story that represents their cultural heritage. I wholeheartedly would recommend this book and believe it would make an invaluable addition to any library, leaving a lasting impression on any reader. I hope to see more from both Liu and Moon in the future and wish them luck on their future endeavors.
