Take Me to Laolao

by Kelly Zhang (Author) Evie Zhu (Illustrator)

Take Me to Laolao
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Celebrate the Spring Lantern Festival! This gentle picture book explores the special bond between children and their grandmothers, all against the backdrop of Chinese mythology and holiday celebration. A must-read for fans of Drawn Together or I Dream of Popo!

There's nothing Lili loves more than celebrating the Spring Lantern Festival with her family. But this will be the first time she attends the festivities without her beloved lăolao. Though it's one of Lili's favorite days of the year, she can't help but wish, as she drifts off to sleep, that Lăolao were still there to enjoy bowls of sweet rice balls and solve fun riddles with her.

Then, that night, the first full moon of the new year invites Lili on an incredible journey. Lili will travel to the bottom of the sea to visit the Dragon King and past the misty clouds to see the Jade Emperor. But will she get to see the one person she wants to see most in the entire world before the night is over?

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus Reviews

Tender tale of family bonding. A charming journey rich with Chinese folktales and imagery.

Booklist

Intricate illustrations bring this charming story of love and loss to life.

School Library Journal

PreS-K--This heartwarming picture book celebrates the significance of family, the wisdom of grandparents, and the joy of creating lasting memories. The story follows a young girl who eagerly awaits her trip to visit her grandmother, Laolao. Through vivid illustrations, readers are transported to Laolao's home: a place filled with love, tradition, and warmth. The narrative is rich in emotion as the young girl shares her experiences and adventures with Laolao as well as the essence of a grandparent-grandchild relationship. Zhang's writing is filled with warmth and genuine affection, making it a perfect read-aloud for parents and caregivers looking to share meaningful moments with their little ones. The illustration's intricate details capture a loving, culturally rich environment. The characters are expressive, and the settings are beautifully rendered, making it easy for young readers to immerse themselves in the story. VERDICT Storytelling and enchanting illustrations come together to create an experience that will resonate with children and adults, making this a lovely addition to any library.--Peggy Henderson Murphy

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Infused with magic and warmth, this folkloric tale moves with a gentle rhythm perfectly suited for bedtime. The ethereal palette of twilight blues and purples, and then bright spreads of red, evoke both the mysterious magic and undeniable joy that runs through the story." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063217652
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
January 20, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV010000 - Juvenile Fiction | Bedtime & Dreams
JUV017080 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Other, Non-Religious
JUV012060 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, Fables | Asian
Library of Congress categories
Grandmothers
Picture books
Grandparent and child
Dreams
Festivals
Mythology, Chinese
Spring festivals

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