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Dumplings For Lili

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Dumplings For Lili
Written by Melissa Iwai
Norton Young Readers, 2021. Picture Book.

Lili loves to make dumplings with her Nai Nai. Her grandmother has taught her all the secrets for making delicious baos, from kneading the dough to making the filling that goes inside. One day Nai Nai and Lili are busy making dumplings when Nai Nai discovers that they are out of cabbage. She asks Lili to run up to the sixth floor of their apartment building and borrow some cabbage from a friend. Babica is happy to share some of her cabbage but she needs some potatoes so she asks Lili to go ask Granma on the second floor for some potatoes. Lili goes up and down the stairs taking ingredients to six different grandmothers until finally a very tired Lili returns to her apartment to help finish their dumplings  When all the food is ready six grandmothers bring the delicious food outside to celebrate the arrival of Lili's new baby brother. 

This charming story introduces the reader to different cultures as Lili goes from apartment to apartment. Bright engaging art shows how different each grandmother's apartment is with its own unique style representative of their culture and country. There is a warmth and charm about this sunny picture book that describes how a multicultural community comes together to celebrate food, friendship and love. A sweet story about neighbors gathering together to welcome a new baby and a perfect book to introduce children to a variety of cuisines and cultures.
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