A child describes the various little dishes of dim sum that she and her family enjoy on a visit to a restaurant in Chinatown, in a story that includes a simple explanation and history of Chinese dim sum at the end. By the creator of Ugly Vegetables. - (Baker & Taylor)A child describes the various little dishes of dim sum that she and her family enjoy on a visit to a restaurant in Chinatown. - (Baker & Taylor)
In English, dim sum means "little hearts," or "touches the heart," but to this young girl, dim sum means delicious. On a visit to a bustling dim sum restaurant, a family picks their favorite little dishes from the steaming trolleys filled with dumplings, cakes, buns, and tarts. And as is traditional and fun, they share their food with each other so that everyone gets a bite of everything.
Just right for young children, Dim Sum for Everyone! celebrates a cultural custom and a universal favorite activity--eating! - (Random House, Inc.)
In English, dim sum means "little hearts," or "touches the heart," but to this young girl, dim sum means delicious. On a visit to a bustling dim sum restaurant, a family picks their favorite little dishes from the steaming trolleys filled with dumplings, cakes, buns, and tarts. And as is traditional and fun, they share their food with each other so that everyone gets a bite of everything.
Just right for young children, Dim Sum for Everyone! celebrates a cultural custom and a universal favorite activity--eating! - (Random House, Inc.)
Horn Book Guide Reviews
From sweet pork buns and fried shrimp toáturnip cakes and egg tarts,ádim sum delicacies are savored by a family in a Chinatown restaurant. Lin's deft, colorful illustrations show Ba-Ba, Ma-Ma, and two little girls each choosing a favorite dish. The simple text is enriched by an endnote and endpapers that provide more information about the tradition and range of dim sum meals. Copyright 2002 Horn Book Guide Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Dim sum is the perfect tea party for children because of the tasty, small dishes on teacarts from which to choose. Here, a little girl narrates a simple story of the delicious meal she shares with her family. Turnip cakes, fried shrimp, sweet pork buns, and sweet tofu are all chosen, and lastly, the narrator selects egg tarts. As each child selects from a cart, the perspective changes to focus on the chooser. The bright red restaurant rug is the background color for every page, setting off the silver carts with their goodies and the bright, patterned colors of the people's clothes. The yellow letters of the text at times curve to match the tables in the picture or appear a little off to the side so as not to interfere with the visual image. One particularly effective spread steps back and shows a half-dozen tables all filled with little dishes and the silver carts wending their way through them; the pattern is delightful. A history of the origins of dim sum and its popularity today i described in an epilogue. The bright green endpapers are decorated at the front with food, condiments, and tableware while the back endpapers depict almost two dozen dim sum dishes. A delightful read-aloud, sure to please those children who have enjoyed dim sum and a fascinating adventure for those who have yet to experience it. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus 2001 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved
Publishers Weekly Reviews
After waxing poetic about the advantages of a vegetable garden in The Ugly Vegetables, author/artist Grace Lin describes the pleasures of a Chinese dining tradition in Dim Sum for Everyone. From sweet pork buns to little egg tarts, the plentiful dishes arrive on metal carts for a grand smorgasbord. An endnote offers a brief history of dim sum; endpapers show the wide spectrum available for sampling. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal Reviews
K-Gr 3-This tasty tradition is explored through simple text and realistic illustrations. A family with three daughters arrives at a restaurant for a meal of "little dishes." Carts are wheeled to each table and the guests select what they would like to eat. They each choose a favorite dish and then share with everyone at the table. When the plates and bowls are empty, the family looks satisfied and a little sleepy. The concluding note explains the cultural history of dim sum as well as the customs surrounding the meal. The endpapers feature an array of delicious ingredients, utensils, and items that are typical of this repast, all labeled in Chinese and English. The illustrations capture every detail from the texture and patterns of the clothing and food to the small jade necklace worn by the waitress. This enticing book can stand alone or supplement a lesson on food or Chinese culture.-Genevieve Ceraldi, New York Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.