Mahjong All Day Long

by Ginnie Lo, Beth Lo (Illustrator)

MaMa and BaBa play mahjong all day long. And all night long. We hear the clicking of mahjong tiles morning, noon, and night.

Big sister, JieJie, and her little brother, DiDi, see their parents playing mahjong all the time. It's their favorite family tradition. With Uncle T.T. and Auntie Helen around, the house is always alive with singing and chatting, the aromas of hot tea and good food, and of course the constant sounds of a family having fun together!

One day JieJie and Didi will grow up and have families of their own, and they will teach their children the game as their parents taught them. As it has done for centuries, the playing of mahjong continues to bring families together, allowing for traditions to be passed on generation after generation.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, China, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Beth and Ginnie Lo are sisters (and best friends!). They had a happy Chinese American childhood in West Lafeyette, Indiana, where they learned to play mahjong while sitting on their father's lap. They continue to play to this day. Ginnie, a computer science professor, wrote the story, and Beth, a ceramic arts professor, made the illustrated ceramic plates. This is their first book.

Beth now plays mahjong in Missoula, Montana, with her husband, son, and Chinese cousin who lives up the valley. Ginnie plays mahjong in Eugene, Oregon, with her husband, their children, and the authors' mother, who lives next door.

Reviews

[Emilia P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was lovely -- a story about the weird things your parents do and how you end up doing them too. But not like that. Really it was just about how the grownups play Mahjong and you are curious. The illustrations which are in a old-fashioned cartoonish style -- and painted on to ceramic plates, with an effect that since the plates are oval and shiny and white, almost makes it feel like they're painted on a grain of rice. Super-cool, super cultural, super introduction to a new culture if you're not a Chinese-American. I loved it.

[Amy A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about two Chinese adults reminicing about their family tradition of playing Mahjong. Their families sing, eat, drink tea, and visit over hours of playing this traditional game. As children JieJie and DiDi did not fully understand the game but later they not only pass this tradition on to their children but they understand how important this family time is to generations of their family.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and very sweet. Although at first glance this seems a bit culturally specific,I think the broader appeal lies in the warmth of a family gathering - many of us remember our parents and grandparents, their friends and relations, playing some sort of card game while younger children looked on longingly, waiting for the time when they were old enough to join. The illustrations are unbelievably extraordinary - " created by painting with ceramic underglazes on handmade porcelain plates."

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful depiction of a family's love for each other and a great introduction to the Chinese game Mahjong. Chinese characters throughout add to the very simple text.

[Tom Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stands out in this book are the illustrations, which are done as painting on ceramic plates. The unique aesthetic feel is appealing and, I imagine, will catch students’ interest. On the other hand, the story is lacking in character development. The story gives an impression of a Chinese-American home, where the traditional game of Mahjong is played by he children’s parents, while the children watch, speculate, and roll their eyes at their parents and grandparents. One cool feature of the book that I am hoping will capture the attention of some of our Chinese-American students is that each page has a few Chinese characters. Even though we do not teach literacy, in English or Chinese, all students will likely recognize that these characters are unusual, and a few of the Chinese students have already begun to study written Mandarin at home. I am hoping this could lead to an interesting discussion.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful and unique illustration presentation. The illustrations are gorgeously detailed & fun ceramic plates, done by the talented ceramicist Beth Lo from University of Montana. The details about Asian American culture were engaging - and the reader might learn a thing or two about Mahjong!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple story about family members playing Mahjong. I honestly had no idea it was a children's book when I put it on reserve.

There are some words and phrases given in Chinese but no phonetic pronunciations.

[Zanela]

I kid you not when I tell you I have never gambled my money with mahjong for LESS than 10 hours. This game is addicting as hell and I agree with the title lol.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a simple and timeless story about the passing on of traditions, which is experienced in every culture. Mahjong is a game that is taught by one generation to the next in this Chinese family. The illustrations are expressive and stylized, presented in a black oval frame on the recto. The black print on the bright red page on the verso is striking. The author’s note as well as the Chinese characters and translation on each page help provide a rich context.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed like a good way to finally learn about mahjong, which I see played in movies but have never quite understood. Sadly, it doesn't really explain the game in any depth, but is rather about the way the family plays it together. I did learn a little about it though, and it's a very neat book with some pretty cool art.

[Kell* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun multicultural book, that teaches students about a traditional game called Mahjong. It's a fun book about family and counting concepts.

[Alfajirikali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those who reminisce about family gaming will appreciate this book.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short & sweet story about two siblings observing their family playing mahjong and connecting.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read at drop-in story time at the Tenley library on 7/5/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Katie Sicking · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a multicultural book about family traditions. It was interesting that it had random words and phrases on each page in Chinese with English translations.

[Jbussen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had this sent to me as my local Library didn't have any books on Mahjong. I know, for real right?
I didn't know this was a children's book. As a child's book it was okay.