Review by Booklist Review
Naliah looks forward to her school's International Day, when she will dance a Vietnamese fan dance that she has learned "from her mother, who had learned it from her mother." She tries on her old yellow áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese dress, but it's now too tight for dancing. Taking a beautiful heirloom áo dài from her mother's closet, she hikes up the skirt, cinches it with a belt, and practices the dance until, tripping over the skirt, she hears it rip. Initially she hides it, but later she tells her mother, who recalls ripping the very same áo dài as a child. Her mother had embroidered over it, and she will too. It's a moment of healing within a heartwarming narrative inspired by Bui's memories of International Day as a Vietnamese American child. Phan, who is also a Vietnamese American, contributes a series of lovely illustrations, using subtle colors and graceful lines to define the characters and express Naliah's shifting emotions, concluding with joy and contentment. A picture book celebrating immigrants and their families' cultures.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
An accident turns into a glimpse at family history in this reassuring picture book, Bui's debut. Naliah is excited to perform her favorite Vietnamese dance--the Fan Dance--for her school's International Day, but when she tries on her áo dài, a traditional tunic dress, she discovers she's outgrown it. Dipping into her mother's wardrobe, she finds embroidered áo dàis of various colors "cascading from the closet like a hanging garden of flowers," and tries on a yellow one sewn with swans and water lilies. When practicing in it results in a stumble--and a tear--concerned Naliah hides the garment, and worries further upon finding out that the child's grandmother brought the now-ripped áo dài from Vietnam. Phan's digital illustrations twine the protagonists' arc with images of flora and fauna that befit the story's inventive conclusion, and Naliah's emotions are playfully mirrored by a small rabbit sidekick, gentling moments of tension. Creators' notes and a glossary conclude. Ages 3--6. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Naliah, a little girl of Vietnamese heritage, is excited for her school's international festival, and eager to share a traditional Vietnamese Fan Dance with her classmates; she is dismayed to discover, though, that she has outgrown her special áo dài, and her mother's is so large that she trips on it and rips it during practice. Naliah is afraid she is in trouble, but instead her mother sews a patch over the rip and tells her the áo dài's legacy as being one her grandmother wore. Bui's debut picture book is inspired by her daughter and mother-in-law. Her hope in an author's note is that "all children recognize that their family stories matter and see themselves between the pages of the books they read." Vietnamese culture is beautifully honored through Phan's expressive, cheerful watercolors. Naliah's joy and fear are clear on her face and the áo dàis are rich with details. A glossary is included at the end defining some of the words and cultural celebrations. VERDICT Naliah's story teaches readers about the importance of family and culture in forming identity. Purchase where books on identity and culture circulate well; this would pair especially well with Eva Chen's I Am Golden, Joanna Ho's Eyes that Kiss in the Corners and Nabela Noor's Beautifully Me.--Heidi Dechief
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young child connects with her Vietnamese heritage and family traditions. It's almost International Day at Naliah's school, and she's nervously excited. She'll be sharing the Fan Dance, a traditional Vietnamese dance that she learned "from her mother, who had learned it from her mother." Grandmother even led the dance in her village's Mid-Autumn Festival, and Naliah wants to get it just right. When Naliah discovers her special yellow áo dài no longer fits, she heads into her mom's room to find another. Among the rainbow of options stands out a yellow áo dài "the color of happiness and forsythia blossoms." As Naliah practices in the oversized dress, she tears a hole. When her mother gives her a new dress and shares that her own special yellow áo dài was Grandmother's, Naliah is filled with guilt. But her mother introduces a new tradition with Naliah as they mend the dress just as Grandmother did when Naliah's mother ripped the same dress. Inspired by her daughter and mother-in-law, Bui weaves a tender tale of a family honoring memories and heirlooms but also creating new traditions. Phan's buoyant and beautiful illustrations convey the protagonist's emotions. Images flow across the page, evoking the fluidity of áo dàis, dance, butterflies, rippling blue waters, and lily pads. The recurring motifs and details like a hopping pet rabbit joining the fun add playfulness. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A charming contemporary celebration of family and heritage. (author's note, glossary) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
