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Ming's Christmas Wishes Hardcover – Picture Book, September 29, 2020

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

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"It's a heartwarming holiday story based on real events."
-Foreword Reviews, starred review

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.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book s beautiful illustrations feature snowy Northern California landscapes and warm indoor scenes, in which Ming s wise father shows her how to honor her heritage while embracing new customs. It s a heartwarming holiday story based on real events." --Foreword Reviews, starred review

"Gong's depiction of the long arc of a bittersweet history in the context of the strength of human character that readers will remember. A thoughtful take on Chinese American history that goes beyond the usual fare.

" --Kirkus

"Illustrations have lovely warmth, imparting a mythical quality to the tale. Ming's story shows the search for one's place in the world begins young, and that, while there's pain in navigating two conflicting cultures, there's a way to heal."

--Booklist

"Prose is lyrical and deeply sympathetic...Intricate, warmly washed interiors and expansive landscapes enchant, conveying viewpoints that effectively highlight Ming's varying emotions. A historical holiday story that poignantly explores identity and belonging from a less-seen perspective."—Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Susan L. Gong is a former teacher of Mandarin Chinese. She holds a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing. She and her family have lived in Asia, Europe, and North America. Masahiro Tateishi is a professional artist who specializes in digital and traditional painting and illustration. He also does calligraphy, graphic design, and mural painting. He was born and raised in Sasebo, Japan, next to a beautiful mountain and waterway. He lives in Fukuoka, Japan.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain Publishing; Illustrated edition (September 29, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1629727792
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1629727790
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.25 x 12 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
61 global ratings

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Children's Historical Fiction Christmas Story
4 out of 5 stars
Children's Historical Fiction Christmas Story
This story is a fresh angle on traditions that surround Christmas while showing respect for individual heritage.While holidays hold specific meaning to each individual family, it is refreshing to see a family's response to a child's interest in Christmas. The story follows Ming as she tries to find a way to celebrate the bright sparkling holiday of the culture she is living in while being told by her mother to hold on to her own heritage.This Historical Fiction Children's book is a fun way to introduce young readers to different perspectives on a holiday they are familiar with.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
    I love stories that are aimed towards children to teach them about history but end up teaching adults something as well.

    This story is set in the 1930s and features Ming, a Chinese girl, set in a town in California. She doesn't fit in and has very few wishes, but what she wants more than anything is to sing in the choir at school and have a Christmas tree. However, Mom says no, and Dad agrees with her. But what Ming doesn't expect is to take a trip with her dad to meet some friends of her grandfather and learn about her heritage. There is even a surprise for Ming at the end of the journey.

    The story is educational and inspirational as we follow Ming throughout her day.

    Let's talk about the illustrations. The illustrator does an amazing job of portraying Ming's story and the 1930s. I like that the inside front cover reflects the town of Merced City, California, where this story is set. There are even key landmarks of what the town looked like in those days.  The back inside cover shows the route that Ming and her father take to visit the family friends in Mariposa Grove.  Each picture that graces the pages of the story is full of life and color. There is one page that depicts intricate carvings in the cabin at Mariposa Grove.

    This is a wonderful story to educate young minds about other cultures and history.  We give this book 5 paws up.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2021
    If you want a simple book with an easy concept to help inspire children during the holidays then this is the book to pick up to add to their Christmas collection. Gong takes us back in time to a setting that people still see today, which makes this book so relevant for its time. The messages in here of belonging and family legacy are real, simply and beautifully put and specific so that any child can understand the message being conveyed and learn something new. It also gives children a glimpse into history and helps them view their own family history and how it has brought them where they are today. Wonderful children's picture book that I hope many people add to their libraries.

    Another great bonus for this book is the beautiful illustrations throughout each page. The bright colors that spring off the page with intricate details that help tell the story in a whole new way. Children will love inspecting each page as they read/listen along.

    This is also a great book for slowly introducing the meaning of Christmas to families who aren't religious. It could be used for adults and children alike to open their eyes to the possibilities behind the true meaning of Christmas, what life is all about and the impact we have in the world. I really loved this book and can't wait to share it with children in the holiday seasons to come.

    * I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author(s) via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2020
    Ming doesn’t feel like an American when she is at school. Ming has three Christmas wishes. Her mother tells her no to all of them as they are not Chinese customs. Her father decides to take Ming to a very wise man. As they go to see the wise man, they see the snow on the ground. They visit then leave going to the “old grove.” As Ming and her father walk , they arrive at a lopsided tree. There is a hollow that has inside it an altar. Why is an altar there? Who used it? Ming and her father go back to the truck. On their way, her father surprises her. What is the surprise?

    The story is beautifully illustrated. They are perfect for the story. It is a story that explains the feeling of not being part of America due to racism in the 1930s and not Chinese enough for her mother. Ming learns to embrace her heritage and America’s heritage. The story illustrates her search for her identity.

    Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2021
    "Ming's Christmas Wishes" is more of a multicultural children's picture book that illustrates the difficulties of a young Chinese immigrant and her desire to be American and participate in American customs and traditions. Ming, the main character, feels awkward, alone unwanted and discouraged in her new environment in the city of Mersed City, California in the year 1930. Ming is very disappointed because she desperately wanted to sing in her school's Christmas Choir, but was not chosen. Another problem for Ming is that she wanted a Christmas tree just like the ones that most other families had, Ming's mother was adamant about not having a Christmas tree because it was not a Chinese custom. Young Ming struggles with these things and tries desperately to try to fit in and have a sense of belonging. One day Papa and Ming travel to to their Uncle Lin's house in the foothills next to their town. It is here that Ming finds happiness at this Christmas time of year. You will want to read the book to find out what made her happy.

    This hardback book has a beautiful full color attention getting and Christmasy dust jacket and matching full color pictorial cover. The book measures 9 inches by 11 inches and has 45 pages. Each page is a beautiful full color full page illustration with the exception of 12 pages which are white and which have text. Most of the other full color pages also contain a small amount of text.

    The Christmas message in this book is rather weak but the insight to the problems and feelings of a young immigrant trying to find where she belongs in a new culture is a very valuable lesson found within the pages of this book. My suggestion is not to buy this book for the Christmas message but to buy it for the valuable lesson learned about the struggles and difficulties of a young Chinese immigrant girl who desperately wants to belong in her new environment.
    One person found this helpful
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