Mama's Love Language

Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice

Children - Picture Book
32 Pages
Reviewed on 02/11/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Jade, who has a Chinese mother and an American father, struggles with her identity and how different she looks from the other children in her class. She is embarrassed by her mother's strange accent and also feels her mother doesn't understand her like her father does. But as she learns about her history and her mother's tough upbringing, she discovers some intriguing stories that challenge her views about her mother. She also discovers secrets about her Chinese great-grandparents and the history of her favorite rice dish. Will Jade accept her Chinese mother and understand her special love language? Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice by Elisa Stad is a children's picture book that showcases a beautiful resolution to the struggles of a child in a multicultural home and her difficult relationship with her mother.

Culture, history, family, and empathy are some of the major themes in this brilliant book. Elisa Stad's words are simple and perfect for young readers. Whether she's talking about Jade's great-grandparents' war experience or her favorite dish that includes steamed chicken and broth, the story moves briskly to create an irresistible page-turner. The dreamy colors and cartoon paintings by Ry Menson add to the book's allure. They correlate with the story and sometimes add to it by depicting other characters and items like teddy bears and chopsticks. Ultimately, Jade reminded me of my childhood with my father, which is similar to her experience of feeling unloved. I wish I'd had a perspective similar to hers earlier in life. Nevertheless, Mama's Love Language offers a positive perspective that will benefit all children who struggle to understand their parents. I strongly recommend it!