A great family story that explores one element of Chinese culture in a fun and engaging story for children!

This picture book is about family heritage and togetherness. The illustrations are really cute, and even though the story is simplistic, this is a sweet portrayal of Vietnamese-American children spending time with their grandmother and making traditional foods. The author shared a glossary at the beginning for Vietnamese words, and there is a recipe in the back.

Although this book is from a Christian publisher, there is no faith content whatsoever in the story. People who are looking for a faith element will be disappointed, but secular readers shouldn't let the Christian publishing name turn them off.

I love when children’s stories can introduce them to cultures that may not be their own. This was a beautiful story that shared family traditions with others, and I think children, whether they’ve grown up with this, or are experiencing this for the first time, will truly enjoy this story.

Today, Grey and his cousin Mila are going to make dumplings with their grandmother. Asians eat dumplings on special occasion, or even daily. Each part of Asia has their own dumplings. Sweet or savory, big or small, covered with banana leaves or plain. Here we see the Vietnamese dumplings, a savory one named bánh loc. And through the book, we learn about Asian wisdom, how food was taught from the elder to the children. A nice reminder on Asian culture.

I received an electronic ARC from Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S through NetGalley.
Heartwarming story about family and traditions. Grey and Mila are going to learn to make banh loc from their Ngoai. She shares her history of learning to make these dumplings from her grandmother and now passing this on to her grandchildren. Readers see the entire process involved in making these dumplings to appreciate how many steps and how much care is needed for the finished products. The artwork captures the love and joy in this multi-generational book. Don't miss the fish sauce recipe included at the end. A definite must for libraries.

What a cute read. What's in a dumpling, Grandma? Is a cute childrens read that opens the gateway to showing children different cultures as well as showcasing the importance that grandparents instill. I loved everything about this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a preview of this book in return for an honest review.

This is a sweet little book that exposes children to a different cuisine. The pictures and pages are cute and colorful. This would be a nice addition to a school or classroom library. I would love to see the food history and dumpling making as part of a larger literary story in order to purchase it as a home-library picture book.

I just love the recipe!
As someone who loves both veg and non veg dumplings (just give me dumplings!), this book happens to be the perfect read.

Reading this storybook will give you:
1. Perfect reading cosy time with the kids
2. Encourage the kids to know what goes in making what seems like a simple meal and it will make them appreciate all the hard work their mothers/aunts/grandmothers do in order to make a good meal
3. Appreciate cultural diversity
4. Appreciate good healthy yummy food
5. Appreciate family time

The illustrations are just amazing!

Thank you, Thomas Nelson/Tommy Nelson, for the advance reading copy.

First, I would like to review Title and Cover page. Cover page is half filled with the images of dumplings, banana leaf and a fish sauce bottle, that connect reader with the book instantly and title itself is telling us that this book is about traditional food.

We can use this book to teach procedure writing, make them familiar with the ingredients of traditional dish, and the importance of traditional food that goes generations to generation. Kids are really excited with Grandma while learning how to make dumplings. Fish sauce recipe at the end also gives an impact that writer was so thoughtful while writing this book.

Bravo!

Great way to introduce another culture and countries. My daughter thought she knew about dumplings from another book but I said there are many ways to make dumplings. And this is the Vietnamese way. And we now plan to make these with the recipe in the back.

What’s in a Dumpling, Grandma? is a heartwarming story by Linda Meeker about traditions and family. Starting out with pronunciations of words that readers will see throughout the book was a brilliant idea that kids will find helpful. They will love learning these new words and trying to pronounce them as they continue into the story. Providing young readers with a book highlighting another place or culture is nothing short of outstanding. Readers can see and feel the priceless bond between generations, as the grandmother patiently shares step-by-step instructions with her grandchildren while they are making dumplings. Linda Meeker and Sandra Eide wonderfully combine this all together. Nothing was overlooked in the book’s creation, as the author even provided a special recipe for fish sauce at the end. What’s in a Dumpling, Grandma? is the perfect blend of traditions, family, love, and dumplings.

What's in a Dumpling, Grandma? Is such a sweet book for young readers! While this book tells what goes into a dumpling from an ingredient list, it also touches on family history. This book has super cute illustrations and includes recipes at the end. This would be a great book to start a conversation with a little one on the importance and value of family traditions and history.

Grey and his cousin Mila absolutely love their grandmother's dumplings, and today they get to learn how to make them! A cute story about how food is so often associated with good memories and love. Learn alongside Grey and Mila as they learn how to make dumplings.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Childrens for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Grey and Mila are going to their grandma's house to help her make banh loc (dumplings). They get to spend quality time with her while learning what ingredients are used in them. Though these things are necessary for a good dumpling, the most important ingredients are time, care, and love.

The book also introduces children to a few Vietnamese phrases. I love when books teach about other cultures and languages.

This is a delightful story about food, family and fun. Grey and Mila are excited to go and spend the day with their grandmother, because she makes the best dumplings.

But this time, in addition to the delicious snacks, her two grandchildren get a family story from their grandma, about how HER grandmother taught her how to make dumplings.

Now she is ready to pass on that family tradition by teaching Grey and Mila how to make dumplings from shrimp and pork, and other delicious fillings. Soon they have a tower of delicious snacks ready, because it is always time to eat!

The illustrations in this book are adorable, and the text is engaging. the story also has a lot to say about intergenerational affection, family traditions, and cultural memory. Highly recommended.

now who doesn't love dumplings made by grandma with all the love and efforts in the world. reading this reminded me of the time when my grandma would make them for us simply because she got to see us after a long time or because we're no well and dumplings would cheer us up. what we see are the steaming balls of spicy fillings with some ancestral sauce on the side lol but the love and care grandma pours into these is what makes them truly unforgettable. thanks to the author for reminding me of such a beautiful moment of my life.
who knew jumping genres could be so fun, huh!

Solid 5 stars for this story!

I am a part of asian community, but I rarely get to know about Vietnamese culture due to lack of reading material that I could access.

But, as I read this story, i felt cozy and homey vibe, i felt like i was taken back to my childhood time, spending time with our eleders, eating their carefully prepared comfort food.

So, what I like about this book?

I think it is the rich culture potrayal that sold me off, and easy to understand writing style.

I highly recommend this book for toddlers as young as 4 years old (if they can read on their own, but if they cant, parents can read it for them, it's a nice book & and the illustrations are clean and appealing to the eyes.

I think it could also be a good reading resources for kindergarteners, teachers can read it aloud for them, so they could be exposed to the variety of culture in this world,on top of reading fun story♥️

Kudos to the author for the great story. To be honest, I'm 20+ years old, an avid reader of children's book and out of some books I've read, this is one of my top 5 favourite! Thank you netgalley for giving me opportunity to read this wonderfully crafted story!

I grabbed this to quickly check a box on the August 2023 NetGalley Bingo board. The artwork is adorable! Soft colors, round characters, clean backgrounds-- this is very easy to look at. The writing was blocky and a bit herky jerky. Plus points, though, for the inclusion of Vietnamese words throughout the book, with a pronunciation guide at the front.

Recommended for libraries (public or home) looking specifically for Vietnamese picture books to add. Otherwise, optional. eARC from NetGalley.

A cute and heartwarming novel perfect for everyone!

Truly a delectable read. I would really love to read more from the author and the illustrations are also a feast to my eyes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I mostly read adult fiction these days, but I'm known to cross genres if and when a Vietnamese book hits the market. From Grey and Mama (I'm sure you've seen their TikTok vids, or, if you're a millennial like me, when they're reposted later on Instagram), this is a heartwarming story featuring grandchildren with their Bà Ngoại. She teaches them to make bánh bột lọc, which makes me so hungry. Who wants to road trip to OC?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.