Kid Review – Ming’s Christmas Wishes – picture book

Gong, Susan L. Ming’s Christmas Wishes. Illustrated by Masahiro Tateishi. NP: Shadow Mountain, 2020.

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Summary

Ming wishes for three things at Christmas. First, to sing in the school Christmas choir. Second, to have a Christmas tree like the one in the department store window. And third, to feel she belongs somewhere.

As a daughter of immigrants in 1930s California, Ming is often treated differently than other children at school. She’s pointedly not invited to sing in the Christmas choir. At home, when Ming lobbies her parents for a Christmas tree, her mother scolds her for trying to be American. Ming doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere: she’s not quite American enough at school, not quite Chinese enough at home.

Seeing his daughter’s unhappiness, Pop takes her into the mountains to visit a wise old friend. Always happy for an adventure with her kind father, Ming hopes to persuade Pop to bring home a mountain pine to be their Christmas tree. But he has something else in mind, something that will help Ming draw strength from nature, from their Chinese heritage, and from deep and enduring family ties.

Inspired by family stories.

Purchase Ming’s Christmas Wishes on Amazon

My Kid Review

Susan L. Gong tells the story of a young Chinese-American girl who is desperate to fit in. Everyone at school has a Christmas tree but her mother insists that Chinese don’t have Christmas trees. The story includes information about Chinese culture and what life was like for Chinese immigrants in the 1930’s. While the story does take place at Christmas-time, I’m not sure I’d call this a Christmas book. It is more about Chinese culture and what they honor.

While the book could be a could addition to a unit on Chinese Americans, Christian school librarians do need to be aware that Ming asks her father who answers prayers and he responds with “Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, I hope. Or ancestors who will help my children.” This statement may make Christians think twice about including the book in their Christmas collections. However, it could spark some good discussions. 

Because of the religious reference mentioned above, I’m not sure I would add Ming’s Christmas Wish to a K-12 Christian school library. 

I received a complimentary copy of Ming’s Christmas Wish. This is my honest review.

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