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Review: Broken

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By X. Fang
Toronto, CA: Tundra Books, 2025. Picture book.

When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her grandmother's favorite cup while she is trying to scare the cat, she panics! What if Ama gets angry and yells, or worse--kicks her out of the house?! When Ama calls Mei Mei in for cake and Ama believes that the cat was the one responsible for the break, Mei Mei wants to be relieved but she feels too guilty to relax! Mei Mei has to decide if she will face the consequences and tell Ama the truth. 

Colored pencil illustrations and a fun mix of compositions (that sometimes require you to turn the book sideways!) will capture young readers' attention. Mei Mei's dramatic and hyperbolic account of her woes will certainly make readers giggle, but the humor does not undermine the empathetic value and emotional payoff of her story. A heartwarming example of how to apologize and make things right, perfect for reading aloud. 
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