Elisa Stad

Jade lives in two worlds. Her mom is Chinese, and her dad is American. Jade notices that her mom is different to the other parents. She doesn’t give hugs like the other parents, and she asks Jade lots of questions about school. Sometimes, other people do not understand Jade’s mom because of her accent, and she is embarrassed by her. Jade wants to be like all the other kids in her class, and she doesn’t like what she sees when she looks in the mirror. Jade is upset when her mom tells her she is Chinese. Jade does not want to be Chinese, she wants to be American like all the other kids. Jade’s dad explains that she is made up of both her mom and her dad, and she is both Chinese and American. As Jade learns more about her mom’s family and her childhood, she soon understands why her mom is the way she is. While her mom may not give hugs like the other parents, she shows her love in different ways.

Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice is a touching, thoughtful and beautifully illustrated children’s book that explores the challenges and joys of growing up with mixed heritage. The book follows Jade, a little girl who is half Chinese and half American, as she begins to notice how different she is from other children. As Jade learns more about her mom’s life and culture, she learns to accept and embrace her Chinese heritage. The book is particularly valuable for children who come from mixed cultural backgrounds, but is also an excellent resource for all children, helping them to understand and appreciate different cultures.

Star rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A touching, thoughtful and beautifully illustrated children’s book, celebrating diversity and multi-culturalism.