Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome

Kat Zhang's third picture book starring the irrepressible Amy Wu is inspired by her own experiences as the only child who can speak Mandarin Chinese in many of her classes. Her teachers relied on her to help translate for Mandarin-speaking students who were new to learning English. Zhang dedicates her story to any child who is the new kid in the class in a new land. She infuses warmth and kindness into this story that is brightly brought to life by Charlene Chua.

The story begins with Amy entering her classroom just in time to see Ms. Mary introduce a "wonderful surprise" to the whole class--a new student! "This is Lin [...] He moved here from China. Can everyone give him a big, warm welcome?"

The entire class greets Lin warmly. Lin smiles back, about to respond, but falls silent again with a blush. At lunch time, Amy sits next to Lin and sees that he has dumplings and Mandarin orange slices for lunch. She shares that she and her family are having a dumpling party that very evening, but Lin does not respond. When they have play time together, he doesn't engage with Amy when they pretend they are pirates. At show-and-tell, Amy picks Lin to share what his favourite sport is, but he only picks up a soccer ball and stays silent.

After school, Amy shares with her mom that she is not sure she made Lin feel welcome. She then sees Lin's dad arrive with his little sister. Lin's face lights up, and he speaks animatedly to her in Chinese. Chua depicts the conversation between the siblings in simplified Chinese characters, with no English translation provided. Observing Lin and his sister chattering away, Amy ponders the change in his behaviour all through a dumpling ingredient shopping expedition with her mother. Amy hits upon a brilliant plan and asks if they can invite a few more guests to the party.

When she returns home, her wonderful pink-haired grandma helps Amy carry out her plan. She uses Amy's favourite markers to write a message just for Lin and his family: Huan Ying Ni ("Welcome" in Chinese). Amy vividly compares the Chinese words for "Welcome" to the "hoot of an owl" and the "ring of a bell," a beautiful way for non-speakers to think of how a different language sounds. When all the guests arrive for the party and gather around Amy, it is her turn to be shy. She can't summon up the courage to unroll the banner she created for Lin, and she clams up just as Lin did all day during school.

This time, Lin breaks the ice. He invites Amy to the table where everyone is busy making dumplings together. Without saying a word, Lin makes a dumpling shaped like a boat. Amy makes a dumpling shaped like a purse. Together, their dumplings bob in the boiling water, and everyone eats until they are full. As Lin and his family prepare to leave, Amy unfurls her banner and says "Human Ying Ni" in Mandarin to them. Amy's family laughs at her because "welcome" is "for the beginning of the party, not the end." The story ends with Amy's realization that "it's never too late for a welcome", with the text being accompanied by a double spread of Lin, Amy, and other school mates playing pirates together.

While the first two picture books about Amy Wu, Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao and Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon (www.cmreviews.ca/node/2180) are about accepting and expressing one's own uniqueness, skills, and perspectives as informed by her Chinese-American culture, this story invites Amy to observe others and forge connections to them via empathy, cultural sensitivity, and her signature creative and generous spirit. As always, Amy figures things out independently, only seeking support from the adults in her life when necessary. She isn't afraid of bucking convention, privileging forging connection and being true to herself over societal expectations. The back matter includes suggestions on how to make a welcome banner for a new student in school, with tips for getting to know the ins and outs of the school and the community.

Zhang and Chua's collaboration once again hits that picture book sweet spot of gently introducing new ideas and competencies through an engaging main character, supportive adults, and respect for the different cultures and perspectives that make up the world. Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome is an essential title to have in school and public libraries, and for families everywhere.