A Morning with Grandpa
Written By Sylvia Liu, Lee & Low Books, 2016
ISBN # 978-1620141922
Mei Mei’s grandpa is practicing tai chi in the garden, and Mei Mei is eager to join in. As Gong Gong tries to teach her the slow, graceful movements, Mei Mei enthusiastically does them with her own flair. Then Mei Mei takes a turn, trying to teach Gong Gong the yoga she learned in school. Will Gong Gong be able to master the stretchy, bendy poses? Winner of the LEE & LOW New Voices Award, this title celebrates, with lively spirit and humor, the special bond between grandparent and grandchild and the joy of learning new things together. Readers of all ages will want to try out some tai chi and yoga too!
“In a charming outing from newcomer Liu, which won the publisher s 2013 New Voices Award, a girl named Mei Mei gets a backyard tai chi lesson from her grandfather. Gong Gong s movements are graceful and calm, but Mei Mei has a more raucous approach: during the Play the Lute pose, Gong Gong is a musician serenading the sunflowers. Mei Mei [is] a rock star playing guitar for the daisies. Then Mei Mei steps into the teaching role, walking Gong Gong through a few yoga poses. Forshay s polished digital art lends both characters distinctive and contrasting personalities. Closing instructions highlight the tai chi and yoga poses discussed, but the book s sweetness stems from the thoughtful gentleness with which Gong Gong guides Mei Mei, never restraining her natural exuberance. ”
