Luli and the Language of Tea

by Andrea Wang, Hyewon Yum (Illustrator)

Though they may speak different languages, kids from all over the world come together to enjoy the shared pastime of tea in this delicious book for young readers.

When five-year-old Luli joins her new English as a Second Language class, the playroom is quiet. Luli can’t speak English, neither can anyone else. That’s when she has a brilliant idea to host a tea party and bring them all together.

Luli removes her teapot, thermos, and teacups from her bag and calls out “Chá!” in her native Chinese. One by one, her classmates pipe up in recognition: in Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, and Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili. Tea is a tasty language they all know well, and it gives them a chance to share and enjoy each other’s company. When all the tea is gone and it’s time for dessert, Luli gets to use her favorite English word, cookie! After that, the playroom isn’t so quiet.

Informed by her own experience as the child of Chinese immigrant parents, Andrea Wang makes the point that when you’re looking to communicate with people, you look for a common bond. The word for “tea” is similar in many languages, and tea becomes the unifying metaphor that brings a diverse group of children together. Additional material at the back of the book explores the rich and ancient history of tea drinking across cultures all around the world and contains maps, statistics, and fascinating details that will delight young readers.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food, Friendship, Cultural, School, Tea

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2022

About the author

Andrea Wang is the award-winning author of Watercress (Caldecott Medal, Newbery Honor, APALA Award, Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, JLG Gold Standard Selection, seven starred reviews), The Nian Monster (APALA Honor), Magic Ramen (Freeman Book Award Honor). Her debut middle grade novel, The Many Meanings of Meilan, was reviewed by the New York Times, has two starred reviews, and is also a JLG Gold Standard Selection. Her work explores culture, creative thinking, and identity. She is also the author of seven nonfiction titles for the library and school market. Andrea holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing for Young People. She lives in the Denver area with her family.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this book. The cover made me gasp aloud even before opening it - the soft pencil drawing, the hilarious/relatable straight-cut bangs, the tiny hands holding a teacup… the English language portion of this text is simple, but the message completely roars. From the first full page set, showing two signs - “English as a Second Language” and “Free childcare” - I was intrigued.

I adored Luli’s peeking, curious face. The children were each explicitly drawn, with unique names and physical characteristics. The back matter further shows that there was immense thought that went into this text. I think it would work well in large range of classes, from K-5, to facilitate conversations about making change in your sphere of influence, language differences, and friendship.

I’d *love* a whole series about Luli and her classmates, similarly to the Ada Twist group of kiddos. There is so much story still possible with the loving classroom Andrea Wang created.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Luli has a brilliant idea to bring together other immigrant students in her "English as a Second Language" class. She pulls out a teapot, teacups and a thermos from her bag and declares, “Chá!” in her native Chinese, and soon everyone gathers around the table calling out "tea" in their languages. The author, daughter of Chinese immigrants, then shares a fascinating history of the universally loved beverage. A touching tale, adorably illustrated. Out April 5.

Thanks to the author, Neal Porter Books, and Edelweiss for the ARC; opinions are mine.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents attending English as a Second Language classes drop their kids off in the childcare room next door. None of the children speak the same language so everyone plays by themselves until Luli has a wonderful idea: serve tea, a drink that everyone in the room recognizes.

The story is lovely and the illustrations are simple, colorful, and expressive.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute. I love the way the kids work together to fill Luli’s cup. A quiet and subtle story about friendship. The soft lines and colors of the artwork work very well with the tone of the story. Authors note and notes in all the languages at the end. With maps and pronunciation guide for every child’s name.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader, I cried reading this book. This is a picture book after my own heart, as an immigrant child with a love of tea and tea culture around the world. It’s so beautiful *sobs*

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When five-year-old Luli enters the playroom where her English language class is held, she notices how quiet it is because everyone is playing by themselves. No one knows any English yet and all the kids speak different languages. So Luli gets an idea. The next day, she takes a thermos, a canister, a stack of cups, and a fat-bellied teapot out of her backpack and sets them on a table. Luli drops some tea leaves into the pot, pours in some hot water from the thermos, and when she loudly calls "Chá," "all around the room, heads popped up." Soon, her table is full of other kids drinking tea, that is everyone except Luli. So Luli's teacup is passed around the table and each child pours a little of their tea into it. But Luli isn't finished - next she pulls out a box and, using the only English word she knows, says "Cookie." Now, kids are no longer playing alone and the playroom is no longer quiet. This is a charming story in which a hot cup of tea really does become an ice breaker. There are ten children in Luli's English class, many from different Asian countries, but for whom the Chinese word "Chá" is similar to the word they use in their language, all of which is explained in the Note from the Author. I loved how Wang worked in the names of the different kids and the different pronunciations of tea. Yum's whimsical color pencil illustrations really capture the diversity of these English language learners, and the variety of expressions and reactions of all the kids. I grew up in a tea drinking family so I was right there for this story.

[Celebrilomiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for the story, but 4 for the combination of the story and the back matter. The author's note, the pronunciation guide, and the explanations of the common tea traditions of each featured country were very educational and gave more depth and warmth to the story. For read-alouds, I'd recommend the parent or educator read through the story and the back matter themselves first before reading to the children so that they can nail the pronunciations. It's also fun to flip back and forth between the covers and the pages to match the different teacups with their owners and with their countries and to notice similarities in teacups in reference to their countries' geographic proximity.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

A review copy was provided by courtesy of Holiday House Publishing, Inc.

Making friends isn't easy, especially when none of you speaks the same language. One thing we know is that Asian cultures show they care through food. It's a given that we make friends this way too!

Luli and the Language of Tea is a heartwarming picture book that communicates care and hospitality, just like tea. For children, it teaches friendship and sharing. For adults, it reminds us that there's a lot more in common we have with one another than we thought.

I enjoyed the storyline and the art. It features a class of racially diverse students studying ESL, each of who plays a role in this story. I love the variation of skin tones, inclusion of the word "tea" in their native language and the gorgeous illustrations of the teacups they use in each country. There's a little history section at the end that shows how each country typically drinks tea, and it's on my bucket list to try the many possible ways to drink it! Overall, it's entirely wholesome and a good start to Asian Pacific Month.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the childcare during their parents' English as a new language class, none of the kids speak English. But Luli has a plan. She brought a thermos, teapot and cups from home and when she calls out "tea" in Chinese, all the kids recognize the word! Tea brings them all together, even though they come from ten countries all over the world. What a beautiful book, which celebrates language and friendship. The author's note includes her own history with ESL classes as well as information about the way tea is traditionally drunk in each country, and information on the number of immigrants in the US from each continent.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful look at tea, language, and the things that bring us together. Using children's names and their own words for tea offers a very clear snapshot to the reader of both the prism of diversity in this school room as well as the connections they all share.

Backmatter explores the experience of being an English Language Learner, and immigrant, and the origins of tea practices around the world.

[Koloud Tarapolsi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed to discover that the Arabic in this picture book is not only wrong in the way it is written (Arabic is cursive and the letters must be attached) but that the word for tea in Arabic is also written backwards. I hope this publisher hires an Arab sensitivity reader for future publications that include Arabic as to not disappoint Arab children discovering the disrespect of their language in this picture book on their own. They have so few books that represent them published as it is.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

While her parents go to an English class, Luli shares tea with the other kids in the children's room. Despite every child speaking a different language, tea brings them together so everyone can play together. I had no idea the word for tea was so similar in so many languages. This would be great for a special tea program for preschool or young elementary school kids.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this wonderful book about intercultural exchange, sharing, and friendship. As their parents attend an ESL class one room over, a group of kids who all speak different languages play in the childcare room. They all play alone, until Luli brings them together around a shared tea-time, where they discover that the word for tea in all of their languages is pretty similar, and maybe they share more than not!

Themes: We're All the Same/We're All Different, Sharing, Language, Tea
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Kris Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teachers will LOVE it. Kids? Hard to tell

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful- both the story and the information included at the end!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always thought a cuppa tea was the perfect way to break down walls and make new friends. Great cultural detail in this book, all the feels like a nice warm cuppa.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The playroom was quiet. Luli could not speak English. Neither could the others.
All around the room, children played alone.

Luli makes a plan to bridge the language barriers in the ESL playroom. She brings in a teapot and cups and invites her fellow playmates to tea. Winsome illustrations show the special tea party and the text includes the word "tea" in ten different languages including Chinese, Swahili, Russian, Spanish, and more. They also enjoy cookies as they learn from one another and bond over their tea cups.

Luli's teapot was empty, but her heart was full.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book. Luli is at a childcare group while her mom is taking an ESL class. None of the children speak English, and so they generally play alone. But this time Luli brought tea, and when she calls out the Chinese word for tea, it resonates with similar words in the native languages of the other children. Soon they are all gathered around the table. A heartwarming book about connection across cultures. Extensive back matter includes an author's note, infographics on where the immigrants to the US come from, and more information about tea in each country featured. Endpapers feature traditional teacups from each country.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power of a comforting cup of tea to bring people together--even when they don't speak the same language!--is celebrated in this sweet and welcoming story.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Luli and the Language of Tea, written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Hyewon Yum, a sweet tale of cross-cultural connection.

In her ESL daycare, young Luli notices that none of the children are playing together; despite being full of young ones, the room is quiet, as none of the children share a language. Luli, wanting to find a way to bring her playroom together, comes up with a plan. She brings in a teapot, a thermos of hot water, and a ball of tea leaves, as well as enough teacups for everyone. When the tea is steeped, she calls out: “茶!” (Chá!), inviting her friends to the table. While the children do not share a language, the language of tea is universal, and each one responds with the word for “tea” in Russian, Swahili, Persian, Turkish, etc. But when they gather at the table and Luli is finished pouring, they find that there is not enough for everyone to have a full cup! What can they do?

Wonderful! Finding cross-cultural connections, especially in cuisine, is always a great subject for a picture book, and this one cleverly incorporated a beverage that is a dietary and cultural staple to so many: tea. Wang’s text is simple and sweet, and cleverly structures the multilingual sections to represent both the written version of the language and the phonetic pronunciation, the latter of which can often feel intrusive or extraneous in multi-language books but works perfectly here due to the breadth of languages and the similarity between the the different pronunciations of “tea.” Yum’s illustrations of a diverse group of characters and their caregivers are adorable, immensely playful and bright. Endpapers featuring traditional teacups from around the world are especially delightful. Informative backmatter gives a brief overview on the history of tea, tea traditions in each character’s native country, and a few notes on immigrants living in the United States. The length is great for a storytime, and JJ and I both really liked this one. This is a great way to introduce the idea of language and cultural diversity – both what makes us different and what we share – and we absolutely recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuesday morning an article said the first of twenty-one funerals began on that date, May 31, 2022. There will be twenty-one celebrations of life and mourning, and the worlds of those families and friends are changed forever. On May 24, 2022 the shock of another school shooting reverberated through a community, a state, a nation, and around the world. For parents, caregivers, and educators the weight of this latest horrific tragedy is very heavy. The more we know about the events of that day, the more heartbreaking it becomes. We seek to make sense, when it does not make sense. We seek security, solace, and serenity.

My friend and colleague, John Schu, recently released a book titled The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life (Stenhouse Publishers, May 3, 2022). In chapter two we learn about Story as Healer. At the close of this chapter, John suggests books in support of the chapter's premises. After a brief description of each title, John offers commentary about his choices. I have gone back to this section and read two sentences in particular over and over this past week. John says:

This story is about grief, how it can weigh us down, but how, over time, our friends can help share the burden and in the process make it smaller.

It's not dread and worry that sustain us, but rather the love we share and the memories we create that will last.

Keeping these two sentences in my mind and heart, I selected six new titles from my bins of new releases.

In my cupboard is an array of tea canisters. Each one holds a different flavor of tea. They supply me with selections based on the time of day, my level of thirst, and my emotional frame of mind. Tea is a source of comfort. Depending on the type of mug or glass, the tea can cool on a sweltering day or warm hands and body on a chilly morning or evening. It can elevate a meal or celebration or be a reminder of people no longer with us. (I still have some of the tea cups and saucers my mother collected.)

Tea and tea ceremonies are found in all corners of the world. When drinking tea, connections are made with those other people and their communities. In an endearing story, a bow of respect, to those connections, Luli and the Language of Tea (Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, May 24, 2022) written by Andrea Wang with pictures by Hyewon Yum presents to children the power they have through sincerity and their hearts to add light to their worlds.

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! Luli is from China. Her adult is taking a class to learn English. Luli - and many other children - are in the free child care class which is offered to the parents in the English as a Second Language class. But unlike many child-filled rooms, this one is very quiet because all the children speak different languages. Luli, however, has a plan. She brings tea to share with everyone! A pot, cups, hot water - a true tea party! When Luli says the word "tea" in Chinese - "Cha"! - all the children look up because the word for "tea" is very similar in many, many different languages. The children are all named - and the word for "tea" is provided in their language along with a pronunciation guide. The children all hurry over to the table and tea sharing commences! Luli also has another surprise - can you guess what it is?
The author provides a wonderful and thought-provoking note at the end of the book. It talks about her reasons for writing the book, the legend of how tea originated in China, and a few of the many different ways people around the world drink their tea. She admits that Great Britain and Ireland are also huge tea consuming countries but since they speak English, they weren't included in the book.

This would be such a great book to share with a classroom of students or a group of friends, centered around a tea party, of course! Don't forget the cookies!

[Rebecca Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, be prepared to pause and admire the beautiful endpaper in this sweet picture book, written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Hyewon Yum. Then you can proceed to the totally charming story. Children of all backgrounds are sure to enjoy the diverse families escorting their very small children to a free child-care classroom for English language learners. However, as a result of this diversity, the children are sitting apart, isolated by the lack of a common language. That is... until a little Chinese girl named Luli brings a teapot, cups, and tea to the room. Although Luli calls out the word for tea in her language, the teapot is a universal item. Even as an adult, I found it so incredibly heartwarming to see the illustrated children looking up as one by one, they all asked "Tea?" in their own language; the languages include Hindi, Turkish, Swahili, Portuguese. A special aspect of the text is that it shows the English spelling and correct pronunciation for the various children's responses.

Yes, this book is fun. What a great way to start talking to little children about overcoming shyness and making friends. It is really delightful, too, that the ice-breaker idea comes from one of the children.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many nationalities and cultures enjoy tea of various forms. Possibly none quite to the extent of China.

In Luli and the Language of Tea, the story opens in a multi-national classroom. Possibly kindergarten. Possibly in America or English speaking country. Luli enters and she can't speak English. But neither could the others.



Luli proceeds, whilst sitting alone at a table, to place a tea set and thermos and begins to pour hot water from the thermos into the teapot in which she has placed tea leaves.

Children quickly respond in their own language to Luli's call for "tea" in Chinese. They each respond in their own language.... Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, etc. (So dear reader, you get to "see" how "tea" would sound and look in each language!)

They all joined together to enjoy their tea as they shared the warmth and taste of the familiar drink.

A sweet story invoking a warm feeling in this reader. I love the back material that gives some information on immigrants living in the US. I also like the pictures of the types of tea cups from different countries. And, yes, I am a tea-drinker and love pretty tea cups.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Robin Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book with colored pencil illustrations.

A Chinese little girl, Luli, is in childcare with other immigrant children while their parents take an ESL class next door. None of the children speak the same language, and none speak English. They are sad and not playing together.

Luli has an idea, she brought in a teapot, teacups, and steaming hot water. She makes tea and calls out "Cha!" the Chinese word for tea. In the Author's Note at the end of the book, it's explained that the word for tea is similar in many languages, because the word for tea in over 200 languages can be traced back to 2 Chinese dialects. Tea is thought to have been invented in China. Because of this, the other children understood and answered "tea" in their own language, and joined Luli at the table for tea, and a surprise- cookies. This broke the ice, and the children now played together.

The book ends with real facts about how many different kinds of immigrants were living in the U.S. in 2019, and the children's countries and their tea customs.

It would be good to sample different kinds of tea as mentioned in the back of the book while reading this.

This is a great book to teach children about diversity in the world, different languages, and food customs.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing wrong with the playroom that Luli is visiting while her and the other kids' parents are in ESL class. The room, and the teacher, are cheerful. There are toys, books, and even a bowl of fish. But still...the room is silent due to language differences (in this case, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, Spanish, German, Swahili, and Portuguese). For Luli, the silence seems deafening.

So, she hatches a plan--and runs it past the teacher--and soon, a tea party brews up community, as each child comes to the table with their own understanding of this special drink. Until--oh no!--Luli runs out of tea--and the other children find ways to share in return.

What I love about Luli and the Language of Tea is the simple, gentle story (which, by the way, is so often the most challenging kind to write) and the way the author celebrates diversity while simultaneously steeping the story in the wonderful ways we're alike. While Luli shares her plan with her teacher, it is indeed *her* plan, and she carries it off brilliantly. There's also a surprise (but funny) cameo from a box of cookies, which never hurts with a young audience.

A beautifully illustrated celebration of the power of sharing.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the daycare provided for parents learning English, a group of multicultural children who don’t share a common language are all playing by themselves. Luli was sad the first day and came prepared for the second day. She brought tea. And as she says the Mandarin word for tea and offers it to the other children, their similar words for the beverage and common tea-drinking cultural practices bring all the children together and breaks down barriers.

The author explains in the back of the book that the word for tea is very similar across languages because the word was taken along with the product to different countries centuries ago. Different cultures may prepare it differently, but the practice is common in a number of countries all over the world. The words for tea in each country's most common language is used in the story (and phonetically spelled out too). The back of the book talks about the countries represented and how people there like to typically drink their tea. The countries represented in the book are China, Morocco, Chile, Iran, India, Turkey, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Germany. This is a sweet tale about finding common ground for friendship despite language barriers.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book, as sweet as a sugar cube in a cup of tea! While their immigrant parents learn English in the next room, a group of children from around the world struggle to communicate without a common language. But Luli has an idea to bring everyone together: a tea party! When she brings a tea set from home and calls out “Chá!” in her native Mandarin, the other kids respond with the word for "tea" in their own language. (Spoiler alert: Most of these words are derived from two Chinese dialects so they're very similar.) The simple but effective text introduces kids to other languages and tea traditions from around the world while also showing unity and cultural diversity in a lovely and non-didactic way. The back matter is great, too.

A small thing I noticed is that the sign for the parents' class says English as a Second Language (ESL), but because many English language learners are proficient in multiple languages, I'd thought that the term had shifted to ELL (English language learners). Either way, it's still a beautiful book!

NOTE: I won a free copy of this book through a blog giveaway.