Ten Blocks To The Big Wok: A Chinatown Counting Book (Bilingual English/Mandarin)

PreS-Gr 2--Mia and her uncle are walking through Chinatown to a dim sum restaurant in this fun counting book. There are 10 blocks to walk, and each block offers something to explore, such as two stone lions on the second block or five neighbors practicing tai chi on the fifth block. When they get to the restaurant, Mia counts out 10 soup dumplings, nine fried wontons, and on down to one: the one bowl of steamed anchovies will go to the cat that eagle-eyed readers will have noticed accompanying the young girl through the neighborhood. Mia and her uncle are of East Asian, and likely Chinese, descent. Back matter offers brief explanations of the cultural significance of several items from the story and illustrations, such as dim sum or goldfish. The back matter also includes how to count to 10 in Mandarin, although there is no information on tones. The text is in English and simplified Chinese characters. VERDICT This engaging read is almost as enjoyable as the everyday adventure it depicts. A good choice for story time as well as one-on-one sharing.--Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington Cty. P. L., VA

In her solo debut, Hu (Jingle Dancer) presents an immersive bilingual counting tale as young Mia is escorted by her bespectacled uncle Eddie, both presumably of Chinese descent, to dim sum at the Big Wok. As the duo travels 10 blocks through Chinatown streets with strong similarities to Manhattan's, observational English text follows ("On the sixth block, six bundles of sweet Emperor lychee hang from Uncle Chuck's fruit stand"), interspersed with friendly dialogue; Mandarin translations appear beneath, and relevant numbers in both languages adorn each spread's bottom right corner. The softly textured, warm-hued watercolor and pastel artwork, manipulated digitally, provides sunny accompaniment to the duo's outing, with recognizable contemporary touches such as signs for boba as well as steamed custard buns in the shape of pigs and pandas. Young readers will also enjoy spotting a cat throughout the pages as delighted Mia's clear enthusiasm for her community and food shines through. Back matter includes an author's note with more information on each counted item, as well as a guide to numbers one to 10 in English and Chinese, including phonetic pronunciations for each. Ages 3-5. (Jan.)

[Mia's] delight is infectious. — Kirkus Reviews