May isn't terrible happy when her mom tells her she will be spending the day at Gong Gong's house. He doesn't speak English, and she doesn't speak Chinese. When Gong Gong falls asleep watching hockey, and May changes the channel, he turns off the the TV and they head out for a walk. Gong Gong greets all the neighbors, saying funny things in Chinese, but May doesn't understand what's making them laugh. The same thing happens inside the gift store, and at the dim sum restaurant - Gong Gong is so busy chatting he doesn't' seem to notice May is so hungry. When they stop at the grocery store to buy food, May hopes they will go home and eat soon, but first Gong Gong stops by the park to greet more friends and play some cards. Just what does he say that makes they laugh, too, just like the people in the gift store, the restaurant, and the grocery? But when a pigeon poops on the shoulder of her jacket, May's had enough and bursts into tears. Gong Gong gently cleans her up, then hands her the toy monkey she wanted at the gift store. Not only that, but he even has pork buns, her favorite, from dim sum restaurant. On their way home, they pass the same people from earlier in the day, only now, May gets a pleasant surprise when they all know just who she is. May's day turns out to be completely different from what she expected. Now, she and Gong Gong have a loving bond, and she even begins to learn a little Chinese starting with "Ngo oi nei" (I love you). I think Sennah Yee has perfectly captured May's frustration not understanding what is going on in the first part of this story and thinking her grandfather didn't much care about her, when it turns out to be just the opposite. As the two walk around Chinatown, the watercolor and pencil crayons illustrations show a friendly, welcoming place, much like Gong Gong himself, but it is not something May notices until things turn around. There are a few Chinese words used throughout and there is a glossary in the back that includes Chinese characters with pronunciation and translation.

I really enjoyed May’s day with her grandfather, Gong Gong. As they spend a “miserable” day together, May realizes she doesn’t have to understand the language to understand the emotions and meanings. I’m glad a glossary was at the end. Children will like this, even younger ones who will need an adult to read it orally. Great for classrooms, Social Studies, Geography, Languages, Multi-Cultural/Diversity Day.

My Day with Gong Gong is one of the cutest, most heartwarming stories I've read in a while. I've quickly become a big fan of this book written by Sennah Yee, illustrated by Elaine Chen, and published by Annick Press.

May is dropped off at her Gong Gong's (Grandfather) house for the day, but is feeling anxious and shy. She doesn't really speak Chinese... and Gong Gong speaks only Chinese... how could they possibly have a good day together?

As the day goes on, May gets more and more frustrated with feeling left out, confused, and unheard--even laughed at at one point! But slowly she discovers that she and Gong Gong have a special bond, and Gong Gong cares for her more than she realized. What started as a scary day turns out to be a fantastic adventure.

This story is about family, cultural differences, intergenerational friendships, and finding commonalities with those who at first seem different from us. I appreciate the Chinese words sprinkled throughout the book (with a Cantonese guide at the back, too), and I can't share enough praise for Elaine Chen's illustrations. May's adorable pouty faces as she again and again feels misunderstood had me giggling, and then feeling for her.

Such a special book! I had trouble with the pictures in the digital galley, but luckily I was also able to read the paper copy at my store. The story is funny and relatable (including cross-culturally) and Elaine Chen's pictures are sweet and full of love without ever feeling too gooey. I love what I've read of Yee's adult work, and her style translates beautifully into writing for kids.

My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee and illustrations by Elaine Chan is a book that I adore! Chan's illustrations make Yee's story really come to life. May's trip with Gong Gong is boring and tiresome, but Gong Gong pays attention and surprises May. The bonding between granddaughter and grandfather is so important and this book beautifully describes this. The glossary at the end of the book is also a great addition.

It was an adorable story of a Chinese American girl who learns about her culture on her visit to China Town with Gong gong. I enjoyed reading it.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the digital version of the book for honest review.

I liked that this book introduced me to some Cantonese words and depicted Chinese culture in a child-friendly manner. Conversely, I spent too much of the book being annoyed at the Gong Gong for being so aloof and uncommunicative to May. I mean, it's a relief when it's revealed near the end that the Gong Gong has been collecting things for her all day, but it's also slightly more irritating knowing that he's been aware of her desires and frustration all along and never attempted to talk to her. I liked the book for what it attempted, but not so much for the relationship between May and Gong Gong.

In this charming new story author Sennah Yee shows readers what it is like for grandchildren and grandparents when they don’t exactly speak the same language. My Day with Gong Gong, illustrated by Elaine Chen is a beautiful inter generational story about how communication doesn’t necessarily happen just through words.

Gong Gong (mother’s father in Chinese) is taking care of May today but Mayis a little worried because Gong Gong doesn’t speak English and she doesn’t; speak Cantonese. Gong Gong takes her to all of his favourite places in Chinatown and as children do, May gets a little impatient. She doesn’t realize that Gong Gong is watching her the whole time and understands her, even if he doesn;t understand the language.

I’m a total sucker for a good inter generational story. It is so important for readers to see the valuable and loving relationships that they can have with their grandparents and elders. This story is especially poignant as there are many children who may not be able to clearly communicate through language with their grandparents, I myself struggled at times communicating with my grandparents as they are french speakers with limited English and I am an English speaker with limited french, however that didn’t lessen our relationship or the feeling of love I received from them. I particularly love how Gong Gong is sharing some of his favourite things with May in this story. Readers need to see reflections of their lives in the stories they read and understand the diversity all around them whether they live in a big city or a small rural community.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.

This picture book is very cute. What I appreciate the most is that the book is very cognizant that kids do not always understand why adults do things. A grandchild and a grandfather may have extra distance to cover in understanding one another. The story does a good job in presenting that the grandfather was listening and paying attention the whole time.

Kind of a cute story of emotions that transcend language. The plot is simple and the illustrations rounded and appealing. Good for very young children more than older ones.

Sweet story that shows love and affection transcend language barriers as a Grandfather and Grandchild spend the day together.

A wonderful story about a granddaughter that spends time with her grandfather and experiences the language and culture of her heritage. This heartwarming story shows how grandparents have a great influence on their grandchildren's lives and are a wonderful resource for teaching children about language and culture. This would make a great bedtime story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

In My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee, May is dropped off at Gong Gong's house to spend the day with him. May is very concerned because she doesn't know how to speak Chinese and Gong Gong doesn't know how to speak English. Throughout the day, May is not having fun with Gong Gong, until something goes wrong and she starts to cry. When Gong Gong shows May that he was actually paying attention to her the entire time, they seem to get along a lot better. May starts having fun and enjoying the rest of the day with Gong Gong.

I love how at the end of this book, it gives the Chinese words in English, so children can learn them. While my family is not Chinese, one of my son's great-grandmas doesn't speak English. I think this is a great book to show that he can still be a part of her life even if they cannot communicate with words well. The story was well written, portraying how May felt throughout the entire book. I thought the illustrations were good and enjoyed the book. I think My Day with Gong Gong is a perfect book for young children to read to learn a little about Chinese culture. It is especially perfect for children with grandparents or great-grandparents who do not speak the same language as they do.

Sweet intergenerational picture book about a little girl who spends the day roaming Chinatown with her cheerful grandfather. He speaks Cantonese (peppered throughout the story) and she does not, and the language barrier exacerbates May’s frustrations as she grows bored and hungry. Gong Gong was listening to her all along, though, and the day ends happily for both.

There were a few illustrative disconnects for me — who sits down at a table in a restaurant when they aren’t dining there, and what happened to those bags of groceries?

Definitely reminds me of my local Chinatown and, sadly, I'm sure the real case of cultural generation gaps. The story is delivered from May's point of view, and because she is a young child only wanting her needs addressed, her whininess and lack of respect does not make her a good role model for my kids. I have a hard time recommending this book, though I am an advocate for more diverse voices, because I don't want kids to think this is ok with their Goong Goongs.

That he gives her gifts that wins her in the end, she likely learns her lesson because her demeanor softens. But because the author does not have May actually voice that Goong Goong's an ok dude to hang with, I feel as if she missed an opportunity to let early readers and families who are reading this aloud to acknowledge there is value in this relationship.

My Day with Gong Gong is a sweet book by Sennah Yee that shows a budding relationship between a Grandfather and Granddaughter. There are some difficulties, since Gong Gong doesn't speak English and little May doesn't speak Chinese, but they learn to get along and have an absolutely wonderful day!

This book is very sweet and a great little read. It's full of adorable pictures and such a sweet story. I highly recommend picking this book up as a sweet, bedtime read.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

This picture book is very cute. May spends the day with Gong Gong, her grandpa, but they can't communicate well. May learns that Gong Gong does know her, after all. Very sweet grandparent story.

I love stories for children that involve the bond they have with a grandparent. In this story we not only learn about this bond, but also witness the culture differences that now divide May and her grandfather, and how these differences can easily be bridged when we take time to learn them. Timely and touching, My Day with Gong Gong is a great addition to picture books.

Review will post to blog on release day.

I received an e-galley of this book from Annick Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I knew that this was a book that I had to read from the moment I read the title and saw the words Gong Gong. It means grandpa in Cantonese Chinese, and while I have never actually had the chance to meet my own grandfathers, I wanted to read this book about a little girl who spends the day with her grandpa.,

May is spending the day with her Gong Gong and she’s worried as she doesn’t speak or understand Chinese. As the two spend the day together, she is frustrated by this lack of communication. Soon she realizes that her grandfather may understand more than he lets on and she learns to embrace him and the Chinese language.

I found this story to be heartwarming and a reminder of what it was like growing up in Canada as ethnic Chinese. While I grew up understanding and speaking the language, there are moments when the culture clashed with the Canadian western culture. It was not always easy embracing my own heritage in those cases. I hope that this story speaks to new generations of Chinese Canadians growing up, and learning to embrace their heritage as it is such a beautiful thing to connect with our history and people.

Thank you to Sennah Yee for bringing this book to us - and allowing me to spend a day with Gong Gong, an experience I never got to experience myself.

My Day with Gong Gong is an accurate portrayal of the challenges and rewarding joys in communicating with family members who don’t share your language. Being Japanese American, I can see my own interactions with my grandfather reflected in little May’s experience. Love, though not always spoken, can always be felt. I’m excited to see more books by Asian authors published these days! The illustrations are darling and complement the story well.