Amah Faraway

by Margaret Chiu Greanias, Tracy Subisak (Illustrator)

A story of a child's visit to a grandmother and home far away.

Kylie is nervous about visiting her grandmother-her Amah-who lives SO FAR AWAY.
When she and Mama finally go to Taipei, Kylie is shy with Amah. Even though they have spent time together in video chats, those aren't the same as real life. And in Taiwan, Kylie is at first uncomfortable with the less-familiar language, customs, culture, and food. However, after she is invited by Amah-Lái kàn kàn! Come see!-to play and splash in the hot springs (which aren't that different from the pools at home), Kylie begins to see this place through her grandmother's eyes and sees a new side of the things that used to scare her. Soon, Kylie is leading her Amah-Come see! Lái kàn kàn!-back through all her favorite parts of this place and having SO MUCH FUN! And when it is time to go home, the video chats will be extra special until they can visit faraway again.

Backmatter includes author and illustrator notes and a guide to some of the places and foods explored in Taiwan.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Travel, Childrens, Asian Literature, Aapi, Asian American

30 pages, Hardcover

Published January 25, 2022

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kylie goes to visit her Amah so far away, Kylie feels shy at first. Slowly, she becomes more comfortable with her grandmother. That's basically the story, but the book is really so much more than that.

Amah Faraway is full of the lovely details---foods, places, experiences, language---of Amah's life in Taiwan. And the structure of the book is beautifully symmetrical. It's a charming story.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Amah Far Away
AUTHOR: Margaret Chiu Greanias
ILLUSTRATED: Tracy Subisak
PUB DATE: 1.25.22 Now Available

This gorgeous picture book is by a Taiwanese American author-illustrator team. The main character is Kylie from San Francisco who connects with her Amah in Taipei. This reminds me of my very own Amah whom we visited when I was a young girl… coming from Los Angeles, and seeing a new world certainly was captured by Greanias and Subisak.

The beautiful illustrations by Tracy Subisak are appealing and rendered in watercolor and pastels that young readers will enjoy. Margaret Chiu Greanias captured connecting with families from far away, and accepting of the language, food, and cultures. I loved seeing the dialogues with Chinese characters, which made this book even more special.

[Rajani LaRocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this is a beautiful book! This story is about Kylie, who lives in San Francisco, who travels to Taiwan to visit her Amah (grandmother). Told in simple sentences with sweet, endearing illustrations from Tracy Subisak, the second half of the book uses the exact same phrases as the first half — but in reverse order, and with different punctuation, so the meaning is different. Margaret Chiu Greanias has crafted a tender tale of far-flung family and that reunites with love and understanding. This is a story that will be enjoyed by anyone who's ever missed someone they love.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a joy to read Amah Faraway and watch the relationship between Kylie and her Amah develop after Kylie and her mom travel to Taipei. Words like “squirmed” and “jittered” and “jiggled” and “100 butterflies in her belly” show how nervous Kylie feels about traveling to a new place and being with her grandmother in person after only chatting with her on the computer. When Kylie connects with Amah during a swim in the hot springs, her feeling towards Amah and Taipei begin to transform. The same words (“squirmed,” “jittered,” etc.) appear again in the story, but this time they reflect Kylie’s excitement instead of her nervousness. The mirror structure of the book is so clever and makes for a wonderful classroom discussion. The story gives readers a peek into the food, sights, language, and activities of Taipei, and there’s even a list of the places that Kylie visits with her Amah and mother. The story also has a universal appeal for anyone who has ever traveled or been in a new situation that was at first unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Amah Faraway is fun for all readers, but is especially important for those children who straddle two or more cultures and who live far from loved ones and want to find ways to build those connections across cultures and continents.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amah Faraway is an absolutely delightful story of a young child connecting with her faraway grandmother, across barriers of distance, culture, and language. I loved the modern sensibility of the book, which shows grandchild and grandmother chatting on a video call, as well as the specific details of their explorations together in Taipei - the food, the parks, the hot springs, all depicted beautifully and invitingly by Tracy Subisak's illustrations. But what really elevated the book, for me, was the masterful use of reverse poetry to highlight Kylie's change in relationship with her grandmother. Each line of the first half of the book is reversed and mirrored in the second half of the book. This technique is explained in the back matter, along with notes from the author and illustrator about their own experiences with faraway grandmothers, and some explanation of the sights of Taipei shown in the story. On the shelf of grandparent/grandchild stories, this is truly a standout!

[Anna M (readwithanna) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I picked this book up from the library. There is something so comforting about good children's picture books, and this is one of them. This story is about a young girl, Kylie, and her mother going to visit her grandmother (Amah) in Taipei, Taiwan. The story parallels itself - at first she is shy and nervous about all of the new things she is seeing, eating, and experiencing. Halfway through, Kylie adjusts and starts to enjoy herself. She is sad to leave her grandmother by the end of the book, but knows they will see each other virtually every week.

This book includes lots of phrases and words in Taiwanese phonetically and with characters, as well as in English. I could see how this would be an excellent teaching tool in the classroom and am considering ordering one for myself.

The illustrations are beautiful. The endpapers have pictures with words in English in the front, and the same pictures with words in Taiwanese in the back.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kylie is going to visit her Amah in Taiwan. It's a long way away, she only knows her Amah from video chats, and Taipei is full of new things. Kylie is a bit overwhelmed. Can she ever feel comfortable with Amah in her home city?

Make sure you read the author and illustrator's notes about how this book relates to their personal experience. The back of the book also names the Taipei locations featured in the story. And it was in reading the author's note that I realized what a clever piece of writing this picture book is. It so simply and adequately tells the tale that I didn't catch on to the fact that the whole thing is a giant reverso until I read the author's note. It's the same words and phrases forwards and then reversed to show Kylie's change of heart about her time in Taipei. The illustrations are delightful, and as an expat I totally relate to this story, and I know so, so, so many of the students at our school will too. I love that we are getting more stories like this one and I'll Go and Come Back and I Dream of Popo and When Lola Visits for all the kids around the world who have a grandparent across an ocean.

[Margaret Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet and clever story that explores an intergenerational relationship across countries and cultures. The text in the first half of the book is mirrored in the second half, and it is masterfully done. My own children have grandparents who live in a different continent, and they related to the main character's feelings and experiences. Just wonderful!

[Golden Ginkgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is a winner! Kylie usually only speaks with her Amah online. She is nervous to go visit her in Taiwan. When she arrives, everything feels strange and uncomfortable. But after being in Taiwan for a while, she begins to relish in the new experiences and falls in love with the new foods. Most of all, she loves the time spent with her Amah. As I started reading, I enjoyed the gorgeous watercolor illustrations and appreciated all of the reminders of my favorite things in Taiwan. About midway through, I marveled at the beautiful mirrored structure of the story. The author essentially repeats the first half of the book with subtle changes to show Kylie’s changing feelings about Taiwan and Amah. By the end, I was unexpectedly tearing up! I highly recommend this book!

For my more books about grandparents, check out my post

For many more book recommendations for kids and parents, check out my blog: Golden Ginkgo Books

[Jared B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Source used: Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This beautifully written picturebook shares the story of a young girl visiting her grandmother (“Amah”) in Taiwan for the first time. The narrative gently shows her journey from hesitation to joyful connection, emphasizing themes of family, belonging, and cultural exploration. The text uses rhythmic, lyrical language, which invites children to experience the emotions and transitions alongside the protagonist. The illustrations are rich and detailed, offering strong visual literacy support and enhancing the story’s authenticity. According to our textbook, this title demonstrates high literary and aesthetic quality, with multidimensional characters and cultural accuracy.

In the classroom, I would use this book with younger readers to support lessons on family traditions and cultural identity. After reading, students could draw or write about a time they connected with a family member or learned something new about their heritage. It also fits well into comprehension activities like making text-to-self connections or sequencing events.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amah Faraway is a book for anyone who has ever felt a little anxious at the prospect of long-distance and infrequent family visits (and I think this may have even more relevance for families two years into a pandemic). Kylie initially hangs back when visiting her grandmother---or Amah--- in Taiwan. Margaret Chiu Greanias's text is beautifully structured to show how Kylie and Amah's relationship comes full circle, with Kylie opening up to the experiences Taiwan has to offer, as well as to Amah. Tracy Subisak's illustrations are deceptively simple yet detailed, giving young readers a glimpse into Taiwanese architecture, hot springs, and night markets. And the endpapers are just stunning!

[M.O. Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An endearing story about a little girl, Kylie, and her overseas visit to her grandmother. The story is structured in a unique way. Kylie feels nervous and shy about being in Taiwan, and visiting her Amah (grandmother) in the first half. The second half shows Kylie embracing her Amah and Taipei with her whole heart after a splash in the hot springs. From start to middle and middle to end, the lines are the same except in reverse order. I loved this unique structure, and touching story.

The illustrations are gorgeous, and through them, I felt like a took a brief trip to Taipei with Kylie. A lovely read!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been anxiously awaiting this book. It's a beautiful story of love across generations and across the miles, and how a child can overcome trepidation of unfamiliar surroundings to embrace them. In a unique twist, Margaret Greanias tells the two halves of the story using the exact same words. But at the midpoint, she moves backwards through the lines so the story ends with the same line it begins with. Tracy Subisak's illustrations are lively and fun, providing an engaging window into Taiwanese culture through the eyes of Amah and Kylie.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read picture books about granddaughters and their grandmothers. I think it's because I never knew my grandmothers - one lived in Wales, the other lived in San Diego - but I knew that grandmothers were wonderful people to have in your life based on what I could see of friends who had nearby grandparents.

Kylie, the young protagonist in Amah Faraway doesn't really know her grandmother, except through Saturday morning video chats because Kylie lives in San Francisco, Amah lived in Taipai. And when her mom announces that it is time to visit Amah, Kylie isn't too sure she wants to do that. Unlike Amah, who is really excited to see her daughter and granddaughter.

In Taipai, everything is unfamiliar: Amah's apartment, the language, the food and the relatives at the banquet they have for Kylie and her mom. Amah takes Kylie to all the places in Taipai that she loves, but none of it pleases her granddaughter: not the parks, not the night market, not even the Chinese donuts that Amah enjoys so much.

But then, they visit the hot springs. The water is warm and Kylie loves splashing and playing in water, so she decides to give the hot springs (and Amah) a chance. And suddenly "it was a brand-new day" for Kylie and Amah as they splash around in the water together, laughing and having fun. But that's only half the story.


In the second half of the book, Kylie, her mom and her Amah revisit all the places they went to in the first half of the book - but now. everything is in reverse. And here's the interesting thing about the way it is done - the first half and the second half have almost the same wording but with different punctuation. And that change in punctuation is what reflects Kylie's change in attitude.

I read this book to my young readers, many of whom have grandparents living far away, and they loved the story, but they didn't see the change in text until we actually talked about it. The text is both gentle and lyrical, and the whimsical mixed media illustrations really reflect the sights and culture of Taipai. The text also includes speech bubbles written in both Mandarin characters and pinyin (phonetically written Chinese characters for pronunciation purposes).

Be sure to check out the endpapers. The front endpapers have spot images of some of the things Kylie experiences in Taipai, labeled in English and the back endpapers have the same images labeled in Mandarin. Back matter includes A Note from the Author and the Illustrator, plus a description of the sights Kylie visited in Taipai and information about Taiwanese Food.

You can download a Teacher's Guide, which I found very useful, for grades 1-3 HERE
You can also download a Teracher's Guide for grades 4-12 HERE

Pair Amah Faraway with When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramanian. Both are excellent stories about granddaughters and grandmothers, so different from each other, yet finding each other.

This book was gratefully received from Faye Bi at Bloomsbury Publishing

[Angela Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you call your grandmother “amah” (as many Taiwanese people do), “popo”, “waipo”, “nainai”, “mama”, “grandma”, or something else, she plays a key role in your connection to your heritage. As a second generation Chinese and Taiwanese American raising bilingual kids, I enjoyed so many aspects of this book.

Amah Faraway tells the story of how young Kylie transforms from feeling unsure and reluctant to embracing her grandmother and her heritage country. Author Margaret Chiu Greanias cleverly uses a palindromic structure so that the same words in the first half of the book take on a different meaning in the second half after Kylie's transformation. This reflects the emotional journey of many second generation immigrant diaspora who initially struggle to connect with their heritage and after a turning point (in my case, during adulthood) find a rich culture to embrace and enjoy.

The visuals by illustrator Tracy Subisak are equally thoughtful, showcasing her favorite sights around Taipei and including some untranslated phrases written in Chinese characters that challenge the bilingual student, much like the experience Kylie has understanding some but not all of the language she experiences in Taiwan. Some of the sights are familiar to me, like the iconic Taipei 101 building, and some make me look forward to my next trip to Taiwan so I can enjoy them too!

[Carol V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for Study of World Culture -
The end sheets of this book caught my attention from the start. Ordinary things, foods, and places for a little girl in America on front sheets are labeled in English. On the back pages, the same items are labeled in Taiwanese, as that is where the little girl’s grandmother lives and is where the little girl visits in this book. This is like a glossary and dictionary for this book.

A little girl, Kylie, visits with her grandmother, who lives across the world, by video chats every Saturday. Kylie listens to her grandmother, Amah, tell her about her home. And then one day, Kylie and her mother fly to visit Amah. At first Kylie is timid with her grandmother. Seeing her for real is different from video chatting. But as the trip eventually comes to an end, she holds tight to her grandmother and does not want to leave.

Home again, the video chats continue, but this time the little girl is the talkative one, sharing many stories with Amah. And then, one day, guess who comes to visit in America?

The pictures are priceless showing how Amah and the Kylie interact and love one another.

[NoNieqa Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this School Library Journal starred and Junior Library Guild selection, the author’s masterful use of reverse poetry gently unfolds a beautifully relatable and moving emotional arc about a Taiwanese American child's developing relationship with her Taiwanese grandmother. Greanias brilliantly addresses universal issues all children can resonate with like the challenge of nurturing long distance relationships, acclimating to unfamiliar situations, bridging cultural divides, and stepping out of one’s comfort zone to try new things. My child said he loved the “plot twist” when Kylie’s attitude changes and she embraces–and then leads the adventure! We both loved the opening illustrations of Taiwanese culture depicted by illustrator Tracy Subisak, the cartoon bubbles showing the exchange of language and ideas, and the diversity of Taiwan shown throughout. Children will love learning more about Taiwanese culture in the back matter and hearing the author and illustrator’s personal stories.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amah Faraway is about an American girl who is a little apprehensive about visiting her grandmother in Taiwan; she loves her grandmother (of course), but the language, food, and sights simply aren't what she's used to. As they make their way around Taipei, however, she discovers that new experiences can lead to comfort and joy of their own.

What truly makes this story a standout is how it uses "Reverso" (reverse poetry) to show how her views change over time. If you don't know about Reverso, it's a poetry structure that uses the exact same phrases in the first half and the second half, only in the second half, the order reverses. So, with different punctuation (and in this case, different illustrations), the meaning changes. Anyhow, it's a difficult thing to do at all, and to do it so well and to use it to highlight this sort of inner change is simply exquisite.

Side note: if you like this Reverso structure, you should also check out Kerri Kokias and Teagan White's "Snow Sisters!" which also uses Reverso.

[Anitra Rowe Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Amah Faraway" is a picture book about a child named Kylie, who is nervous about her trip to Taiwan. Kylie's mom shares all of the fun things that they can do there - from eating delicious food and embarking on adventures, to spending time with Amah - but Kylie has butterflies. She usually chats with Amah on a video chat. In person is different. When they first arrive in Taipei, things are both familiar and strange to Kylie. But when they head out to explore, Kylie discovers unforgettable delights, such as yóutiáo (Chinese donuts), and visits new parks and a night market. This day of fun sets the stage for a transformation. At the hot springs the next day, Kylie changes, deciding to jump in with both feet and lead the fun. Painted in lovely, warm watercolor and expressed in vivid test, Amah Faraway is a beautiful intergenerational story about opening your heart to your family and all that they want to share with you about who you are.

[Qing Zhuang · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Amah Faraway, Kylie visits her grandmother in Taiwan. The clever structure is notable here. In the first half of the book, Kylie is hesitant to try new foods and embrace her strange new surroundings. In the second half of the book, the writing mirrors the first half, but it takes on a new meaning as Kylie starts to feel more comfortable and confident in Taiwan. She leads her mother and grandmother through Taiwan’s famous night markets, parks and other iconic sights. Throughout the book there are speech bubbles between grandmother and granddaughter, readers may enjoy learning how to say simple phrases like “yummy” or “come play” in Chinese accompanied by their pinyin pronunciation. The art is done in lively watercolor and ink. Children who are getting to know their grandparents or visiting a new place will relate to Kylie’s initial shyness or trepidation and will delight with her as she finds joy and connection in her new environment.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kylie and her mom are going to Taiwan to visit her Amah or Grandma. On the airplane it seemed like one hundred butterflies took flight in Kylie's belly. She was so nervous! Seeing someone on a video chat was different than meeting them in real life. And Taipei was very different from San Francisco. Kylie is trying to figure out how to fit in and then - they visit the hot springs! Kylie loves to splash and swim in the water and just like that,Kylie feels safe and at home with her Amah.
Soon it is time to go back home. But there are other visits to look forward to!

Be sure to read the author's note about the structure of the story - it is very interesting! And take a peek under the dust jacket!
The author includes information about Taiwan in a note at the end of the book and also explains her own experiences.

This would be a great book to share before a visit with relatives. Or for anyone who is a bit fearful and/or shy experiencing new things.

[Isabella Kung · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about a little girl named Kylie who visits her Amah (grandma) in Taipei for the very first time. It shows Kylie being nervous and unsure of all the new land, food and language at first, but at the halfway point of the book, she embraces Taipei and loves it the way Amah loves Taipei. Their bond deepens, and while Kylie is sad to return home, we get to see her get very excited when Amah comes to visit. Not only is this such a sweet and relatable story for anyone who has family far away, but the storytelling itself is also remarkably done! From beginning to middle and middle to end of the book, the lines are the same, except in reverse order! The context, punctuation changes, and illustration give completely different meanings to the words. AMAH FARAWAY so a masterfully written and illustrated book and I highly recommend this for any bedroom and classroom!

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been such a fan of Margaret Chiu Greanias ever since I read her picture book MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS, so when I saw that she had written AMAH FARAWAY, I knew I had to get this book. Not just because of that, but also because I called my paternal grandmother Amah and my husband's family is from Taiwan. This book totally blew me away! With an adventurous trip through Taiwan sights and experiences (with so much yummy food of course!), it's such a marvel how the brilliant reverso writing format weaves in language, interactions, and cultural nuances to evoke a young girl's heart-jumping journey from nervous anticipation to exhilarating excitement. All enlivened even more by Tracy Subisak's incredible illustrations, which fully depict the indescribable beauty and joy of intergenerational love, no matter the challenge—including distance and even language.

[Becky Shillington · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAH FARAWAY is a beautiful picture book about a little girl’s changing relationship with her grandmother, who lives far across the ocean in Taiwan. In this reverse poetic story, the author deftly weaves the text forward and then backward as Kylie grows closer to Amah, using punctuation and nuance to shape the narrative structure. The result is a clever, heartfelt tale that parents can share when discussing faraway loved ones and educators can use when teaching kids about poetry, figurative language, and cultural and family studies. The illustrations are playful and bright, and give readers a delightful look at Amah’s hometown of Taipei. Because of the many layers and aspects of this book, it is suitable for children of all ages.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards in January 2023. I enjoyed this book because it reminded me so much of my childhood. Kylie and her mother are going to visit Kylie's grandmother, Amah. Kylie lives in San Francisco and Amah lives in Taipei and although they talk weekly...things seem so strange and different there. But once Kylie settles in, she comes to love all the differences and then feels unsettled when she returns home. I think children can really relate to this because in our hectic lives we don't see our loved ones as often as everyone would like. Whether you live in different countries or different states or just different cities...change can seem overwhelming but once experienced, it's really not so different from our home lives at all.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/5/2022 ~ Kylie and her mother go visit Amah (grandma) in Taipei, Taiwan. The story explores the language challenges faced by two generations who speak little of the other's language. Also, the timidity that can come when faced with a deluge of relatives, unfamiliar customs, and unfamiliar foods.

The structure of this story is interesting (and also explained in the end matter). The first half and the second half use the same lines, but with different punctuation and emphasis - differences which are also highlighted in the illustrations. This would be a fabulous text to demonstrate to elementary students the narrative arc & climax along with identifying ways a character changes through a story.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. The writing is beautiful and the style really brings the story to life (the second half repeats the first half but in reverse order, giving new meaning to the words).

I enjoyed seeing all the Taiwanese sights through Kylie’s eyes. I grew up with a brother and sister from Taiwan who came to the US for school and to learn English. They are like my brother and sister, and they would often show us pictures of Taiwan after they got back from their summers at home.

The images are so fun, and this all makes me really want to go visit the places I’ve heard about my whole life.

I also loved the story of how Amah and Kylie would connect, even though they were living so far from each other.

I highly recommend this book!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Kylie talks to her Amah every week on video chat, she is very nervous visiting her in Taipei for the first time. She clings to her mom and is skeptical of everything until they go to the hot springs, which remind her of swimming in a pool at home. Then, her nervousness and worry fade away. I love that the author uses the same structure from the first half to show the change Kylie experiences on the second half. It's a great one to show that meeting people for the first time, even if they are family, can be a scary thing, but it will be okay! Great descriptions of Taiwanese culture. I really want some of those Chinese donuts!

[Abi Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a child visiting her grandma in Taipei and feeling uncomfortable at first because she's unfamiliar with the language, the food, and the city, but then starts to see things in a new light. And in addition to it being a lovely grandmother-grandchild book, it's also written in a very unique, clever way as a reverse poem. As Kylie's outlook turns around, so do the lines of the poem. It's very cool, and I'm marveling that Margaret Chiu Greanias was able to make it work so flawlessly. For teachers, this would be an awesome mentor text that you could use to challenge students to make their own reverse poems.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful and deceptively clever story of grandmother-child long-distance love is a keeper! In the age of Face time and zoom, a little girl still feels tentative when visiting her Amah who lives faraway. We travel with reluctant Kylie as her Amah introduces her to the sights and sounds and tastes of her beloved Taipei. And then, in a clever reverse, using a mirror of the story to this point, we see Kylie embracing the places and experiences her Amah dearly wants to share with her, finally returning home with a deeper connection not only to Amah but to her culture and family. Wonderful illustrations and back matter about the sights and foods Kylie experiences in the story.