Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome

April 15, 2022
Amy Wu finds ways to welcome a new classmate in this series installment. Ms. Mary announces the arrival of Lin, a student from China. With eager smiles, Amy and her classmates give him "a big, warm welcome." Lin grins but, with rosy cheeks and a shy smile, doesn't say a word. At school pickup, Amy gets a glimpse of "a whole new Lin" as he giggles and chatters happily in Chinese with his family. Pondering and pondering, Amy might just have another way to say welcome. With Grandma's help, Amy decorates a colorful banner with the characters she already knows, "huan ying ni," to unveil at her dumpling party. Zhang creates a circular narrative, as Amy now finds herself with the words stuck in her throat and cheeks aglow. The power of actions resonates in this third outing with Amy Wu and her classmates. When words escape us--or we might not know the right ones--kind gestures can speak loudly. Chua's expressive illustrations capture the emotional beats of Zhang's text. The energy of Amy's interactions in class and Lin's comfortable rapport with his family contrast with the shyness and hesitancy on their faces at other points. Amy and her family are Chinese American; her classmates are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Full of warmth indeed. (craft) (Picture book. 4-8)

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June 1, 2022

K-Gr 3-The children in Ms. Mary's class are kind and welcoming. When new student Lin arrives from China, everyone greets him warmly. "Lin grins and opens his mouth. Then he shuts it again. His cheeks glow red." All day Amy tries to include him in activities, but Lin doesn't speak. It isn't until she sees him talking animatedly with his family in Chinese that another side of Lin is revealed. The illustrations of this book reflect the inclusive theme by showing characters with a variety of skin tones, hair colors and textures, and eye colors. But it goes beyond the surface features to also show Amy's home with her grandmother who helps her make a banner in Chinese, her mother who invites this new family to come to their dumpling party, and the guests who are friends from work and school. The words, actions, and facial expressions all show how much the characters want to make this new family feel accepted. Back matter includes ideas on how readers can make a welcome banner, details about the author's own experience growing up speaking English and Mandarin, and a few panels that translate the Chinese spoken by Lin and his sister. VERDICT Illustrated with warm and welcoming colors, this story is perfect for helping students make a new member feel at home and to understand that "It's never too late for a welcome."-Suzanne Costner

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 23, 2022
Preschool-Grade 2 Amy Wu is back, and this time friendship is on the table. When a new student from China joins her class, Amy does her best to make shy, quiet Lin feel welcome. After school, Amy sees Lin talking animatedly in Chinese with his family and gets an idea. Amy decides to invite Lin and his family to their dumpling dinner and make a special banner for the occasion. Amy's grandmother helps her translate the word welcome into Chinese characters and decorate the banner. When Lin and his family arrive for dinner, Amy becomes the shy one and doesn't share the banner. The children play and make their dumplings, and it's only when the party is wrapping up that Amy gathers the courage to show everyone her banner, declaring "It's never too late for a welcome." This important message never goes out of style, and Zhang serves it up in a way that is relatable but not heavy-handed. Young readers will appreciate Amy's efforts and empathy, and they may be moved to make their own welcome banner--instructions included!

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