I Am Golden, written by Eva Chen and illustrated by Sophie Diao. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2022. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"You are the lotus flower unfurling - 
triumphant and bright - in the darkest 
water. You are the first bamboo stalk, 
piercing the soil, that will overtake 
the sky. 

Your voice is the call of the magpie, 
joyful and unapologetic." 

In celebrarion of Asian Awareness month, today I share another triumph of Chinese identity. Eva Chen writes the text as a letter from two loving parents to their daughter. They tell her that her name Mei translates as beautiful, like their new country Mei Guo - America. They ask her what she sees when she looks in a mirror, and let her know what they see as well. They talk about her warm eyes, her black hair, her golden skin. 

"You carry a golden flame... and it’s always with you.” 

Their move to New York City from China has been made easier because of their Mei. They see a new path for her in the future. While they cannot protect her from all disappointments and hurts, they allow that being different can be a powerful thing. They are honest with her when they speak of the racism and hate she will face, and assure her that she has everything she needs to find her way in the world. 

"It’s a strange world we live in—people will call you different with one breath and then say that we all look the same with the next angry breath.” 

Their belief in and love for their daughter is evident in every word they speak. Most words are so lovely and uplifting that I just want to keep adding quotes. Then, there would be no need for you to check it out at the library, or to buy it for your school library or classroom. 

Perfectly matching the text's rich imagery are Sophie Diao's lustrous digital images of family love, new experiences, Chinese history, mythology, and culture. Powerful and stunning, it's a first collaboration for this team. One can only hope that there will be another. 

In the backmatter, Chen and Diao relay their own family stories of immigration, accompanied by  family photos.                                                                                    

My City Speaks, written by Darren Lebeuf and illustrated by Ashley Barron. Kids Can Press, 2021. $19.99 ages 3 and up

 

"My city grows. 

My city is busy 
             and relaxed. 

My city plays 
              and works. 

It walks and runs and climbs and slides."

A young girl and her father explore their city with great joy. They love its streets, noises, movement, smells, and the feelings it evokes as they journey together through their eventful day. There is constant activity as they travel its streets, a community garden, a construction site, a park bench, and a busy playground. 

There are smells (not always pleasant), tastes (sometimes sweet), rain showers, subway travel, and music to enjoy. That music is provided by the young visually-impaired child whose company young readers have enjoyed every step of her day. As she finishes her concert, her father provides hugs and great pride. She wonders what might be said of her performance the next day. 

Astute observers will note from the brightly-colored collage on the front cover that the young narrator is visually impaired. She carries a white cane as she walks beside her father. As they walk, readers are made aware that she senses the city scenes through smell, touch, and sound. 

"My city speaks with hasty honks,
impatient beeps, distant chimes, 
reliable rumbles, speedy sirens and 
urgent clangs."

The language is specific and appealing. Ashley Barron creates detailed visuals that match the text perfectly, showing the warm bond between father and daughter as they explore their city on a day's outing. This is a rich celebration of an urban environment!