Legendary Cakes

November 15, 2024
Siblings learn about the story behind a beloved Vietnamese Lunar New Year dish. With Tết approaching, two youngsters visit their B� (Grandmother) for an extra-special sleepover. Tonight, they'll learn how to make delicious b�nh chưng, "chewy, salty, and sweet" celebration cakes. Together they carefully layer mung beans, pork, and rice on top of banana leaves and wrap them up "tight like a great big hug." To entertain the children as they wait for the cakes to steam all night, B� tells them the exciting legend of how b�nh chưng became a new year tradition: Years ago, an emperor tasked his sons with creating a Tết dish that would best honor their ancestors; Prince Lang Li�u succeeded with his humble but delectable concoction. The children fall asleep, dreaming of the festivities to come. Using gentle, soft hues, Greene beautifully captures a moment of intergenerational connection through food and storytelling--key components of Tết. The illustrations incorporate familiar Vietnamese textures from banana leaves to rice paper wrappers, a subtle cultural nod that adds visual interest. Greene also uses expressive typography throughout, emphasizing the meaning of the words to keep readers engaged. The book provides some much-needed Vietnamese representation to a growing collection of Lunar New Year titles on the market. The family is multiracial: While one of the children's parents is of Vietnamese heritage, the other presents white. A warm and inviting introduction to a culturally significant holiday staple and all that it represents. (glossary, b�nh chưng recipe, about Tết, author's note)(Picture book. 4-8)

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January 1, 2025
Grades K-2 With Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, almost here, two young siblings are filled with anticipation. Tết means "a day filled with good fortune, friends, family, and food." Tonight, they have a special sleepover at B�'s house, where she will teach them how to make b�nh chưng, traditional New Year cakes. After much preparation, as detailed in the full recipe in the back matter, the kids get bored waiting for the cakes to steam. B� then enchants them with a wondrous tale behind the b�nh chưng tradition, involving an ancient emperor and a contest for the most delicious dish during the Tết festival. After the story, the children are ready to be tucked in, and when they wake, it will be Vietnamese Lunar New Year! Soft colors, rich textures, and expressive facial features as well as whimsically stylized text capture the celebratory mood. An author's note reinforces the story's inviting message of cultural connection across generations through food, storytelling, and holiday celebrations.

COPYRIGHT(2025) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.