Dumpling Soup

Jama Kim Rattigan did a great job writing this book to capture a child's desire for approval from her family, a diverse family background, and the uniqueness of each family's traditions. The only thing that doesn't win my heart is the illustrations. The style is adequate, but not nearly as clear or beautiful as the story it accompanies.

I am technically first generation american. This story reminds me of our tradition of making mochi for soupto eat on New Year's Day. The pictures are WONDERFUL and the story is great. Thanks for writing about a topic that isn't often written about!

Jama Kim Rattigan's vivid, volorful picture book brings us to the Hawaiian islands. Women in a Korean family gather together and celebrate New Year. As part of a family tradition, the cheerful clan make dumplings for the feast. Seven-year-old Marisa is old enough to help out with the wrappings. Little Marisa, however, worries about the shape of her dumplings and feels insecure about how her concoction might not measure up with other dumplings. Marisa's Granny decides to cheer up and encourage her little princess. Granny features Marisa's dumplings as starters at the dinner table on New Year's Day. Dumpling Soup is more than a picture book-it is a celebration of cultures that have rooted in the Hawaiian Islands: Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Hawaiians.

I, like the author, am a 3rd generation asian and this story was a fantastic vehicle to convey some of my childhood/history to my child. The story had a nice asian america mix to it. Mahalo to the author for writing this wonderful story.

Dumpling Soup is both well-written and beautifully illustrated. Within the context of a simple story, (little girl, family celebration) Jama Kim Rattigan has managed to interweave such issues as: rite of passage, diversity and multiculturalism, and familial strength. I did not find the story "didactic" in the least; it and its illustrations are enjoyable and refreshing. The book provides children with (rare) exposure to Korean-, Japanese- and Hawaiian-American cultures, while utilizing themes common to all cultures. A must/fun read for all!