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Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding
Jenny's favorite uncle, Peter, is getting married, and everyone is happy happy -- everyone, that is, except Jenny. While her family runs about getting ready for the traditional Chinese wedding -- preparing for the tea ceremony, exchanging good-luck money called hungbau, helping the bride with her many dresses -- Jenny is crying on the inside. How is she supposed to still be Uncle Peter's number-one girl, with her new aunt Stella around? Maybe if she can stop the day's events from happening, he won't get married at all...
Mischievous kids will love following Lenore Look and Yumi Heo's feisty heroine from Henry's First-Moon Birthday in this charming story that also illuminates the many traditions of the Chinese wedding.
Mischievous kids will love following Lenore Look and Yumi Heo's feisty heroine from Henry's First-Moon Birthday in this charming story that also illuminates the many traditions of the Chinese wedding.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2006
4 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Lenore Look
34 books116 followersI first began making picture books in kindergarten because my other career option at the time was stealing. But a life of crime requires practice and patience, neither of which I had, so I settled into industry, making what I coveted but what my parents could not afford to buy: beautiful books like the ones my teacher read to us in school.
Publishing was no problem in those days, not like it is now. By first-grade, I was my own publisher, making multiple copies of my books by hand. As for fame and fortune, I took care of that, too–I taught my brothers and the neighborhood kids how to wait in line for autographed copies, and I charged them 25 cents a book (an enviable paperback royalty today!), but also accepted candy.
By third grade, I had abandoned the literary scene. My parents had bought an old piano and signed me up for lessons and, thus, I began dreaming of becoming a world-famous concert pianist.
Then I came across a book on Maria Tallchief, and became a ballerina, just like that. I weighed only 40 pounds and could leap and pirouette all day without stopping. It was a lot easier than becoming a pianist.
Then I read a book about a surgeon, and one about a veterinarian, and another about a great tennis player . . . and I found myself wanting to become whatever I’d last read.
Eventually I grew up and became a newspaper reporter. It was the perfect job for me. I got paid to do the two things I loved most: writing and being curious. Working as a reporter taught me how to talk to people, how to find the story behind the story, and how to tell a story in a way that keeps a reader reading. I learned to listen to the way people talk. I learned to be precise and concise in my own choice of words. Best of all, the more I wrote, the more I was filled with a sense of wonder. I loved writing not only about what happens to people, but also about what happens inside of them, which is what writing for children is all about, but I didn’t yet know it.
It wasn’t until I became a mother and began reading children’s books again that I felt what the Chinese call yun fuen, a continuing of work begun in past lives. I had long forgotten my early foray into picture books, the thread I’d dropped in kindergarten, a thin rig, like the one a spider would use in rising. I had journeyed nearly 30 years down through space by then, unaware of my silken strand. Then one afternoon, with my two young children clamoring for something to do, I showed them how to fold paper into a book . . . picked up some crayons and a pen, and then . . . felt myself rising . . . returning to that place where I began, that brief age in which I had so many talents, and leapt and pirouetted into the sun, and could not stop.
Publishing was no problem in those days, not like it is now. By first-grade, I was my own publisher, making multiple copies of my books by hand. As for fame and fortune, I took care of that, too–I taught my brothers and the neighborhood kids how to wait in line for autographed copies, and I charged them 25 cents a book (an enviable paperback royalty today!), but also accepted candy.
By third grade, I had abandoned the literary scene. My parents had bought an old piano and signed me up for lessons and, thus, I began dreaming of becoming a world-famous concert pianist.
Then I came across a book on Maria Tallchief, and became a ballerina, just like that. I weighed only 40 pounds and could leap and pirouette all day without stopping. It was a lot easier than becoming a pianist.
Then I read a book about a surgeon, and one about a veterinarian, and another about a great tennis player . . . and I found myself wanting to become whatever I’d last read.
Eventually I grew up and became a newspaper reporter. It was the perfect job for me. I got paid to do the two things I loved most: writing and being curious. Working as a reporter taught me how to talk to people, how to find the story behind the story, and how to tell a story in a way that keeps a reader reading. I learned to listen to the way people talk. I learned to be precise and concise in my own choice of words. Best of all, the more I wrote, the more I was filled with a sense of wonder. I loved writing not only about what happens to people, but also about what happens inside of them, which is what writing for children is all about, but I didn’t yet know it.
It wasn’t until I became a mother and began reading children’s books again that I felt what the Chinese call yun fuen, a continuing of work begun in past lives. I had long forgotten my early foray into picture books, the thread I’d dropped in kindergarten, a thin rig, like the one a spider would use in rising. I had journeyed nearly 30 years down through space by then, unaware of my silken strand. Then one afternoon, with my two young children clamoring for something to do, I showed them how to fold paper into a book . . . picked up some crayons and a pen, and then . . . felt myself rising . . . returning to that place where I began, that brief age in which I had so many talents, and leapt and pirouetted into the sun, and could not stop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 13, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this touching, humorous story of a little girl who is having a difficult time accepting that her favorite uncle is getting married. "I'm his special girl. *Just me.* I am the jelly on his toast, and the leaves in his tea. Now, I am an umbrella turned inside out. I squeeze back tears."
Even so, she can't help but enjoy some of the festivities during the wedding day. And she has to admit that Uncle Peter's bride Stella is a rather awesome and lovely woman. But she continues to feel lost and empty without Uncle Peter's full attention. But could it be that Aunt Stella herself has a surprise to make her first and only niece feel special and included?
Much of the writing is just so lovely and touching. It's a five star story for sure (I just wasn't a huge fan of the style of illustrations, though they do provide a nice glimpse into what is happening, especially some of the cultural nuances, and even some humor, too.) When it comes time for family pictures "There is nowhere else to stand except around Stella. She is the sun, and we are the rest of the universe. The camera follows Stella's every move. She twinkles and shines. I feel like cosmic dust."
This story provides a fascinating look into a Chinese wedding (I especially appreciated the "If this had been one hundred years ago..." "If this had been two hundred years ago..." comparisons showing how traditions have changed, but not entirely faded, with the times) but I think that it can be appreciated by anyone who has ever loved a family member and felt that he or she was slipping away thanks to marrying another, yet comes to realize that the new family member can bring something special to the family, and a new friendship, too.
Even so, she can't help but enjoy some of the festivities during the wedding day. And she has to admit that Uncle Peter's bride Stella is a rather awesome and lovely woman. But she continues to feel lost and empty without Uncle Peter's full attention. But could it be that Aunt Stella herself has a surprise to make her first and only niece feel special and included?
Much of the writing is just so lovely and touching. It's a five star story for sure (I just wasn't a huge fan of the style of illustrations, though they do provide a nice glimpse into what is happening, especially some of the cultural nuances, and even some humor, too.) When it comes time for family pictures "There is nowhere else to stand except around Stella. She is the sun, and we are the rest of the universe. The camera follows Stella's every move. She twinkles and shines. I feel like cosmic dust."
This story provides a fascinating look into a Chinese wedding (I especially appreciated the "If this had been one hundred years ago..." "If this had been two hundred years ago..." comparisons showing how traditions have changed, but not entirely faded, with the times) but I think that it can be appreciated by anyone who has ever loved a family member and felt that he or she was slipping away thanks to marrying another, yet comes to realize that the new family member can bring something special to the family, and a new friendship, too.
September 6, 2013
Uncle Peter, "the coolest dude" and "a girl's best buddy," is getting married and everyone is happy about it except Jenny. Why should she be happy? After all, she was always Uncle Peter's special girl until Stella came along. So instead of a Saturday movie like always, it is Uncle Peter's traditional Chinese wedding day.
As everyone looks at the traditional good luck presents from the bride's family, Jenny looks on with a sad face and as the children accompany Peter for good luck when he goes to pick up his bride, Jenny is squished in the car and unhappy. After finally offering enough tokens to her family to show how much he loves their daughter, beautiful Stella comes down in her good luck red wedding dress with the good luck dragons and phoenixes on it.
Everyone is smiling and laughing during family picture time, except you-know-who.
When it is time for the traditional tea ceremony, that little green monster Jealousy rears its head and Jenny decides to sabotage the tea. Finally, it takes a wise mother to quell all the sadness in Jenny's heart over losing her best uncle. Which is good since Uncle Peter and new Aunt Stella's wedding day is far from over and there is a lot more fun to be had.
I loved reading Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. First of all, it is a wonderful read aloud that will most likely generated lots of discussion. Secondly, Look deals very nicely with the feelings of jealousy a child might easily have when a favorite relative, and that would include one parent or the other, gets married. At the same time, she cleverly uses Jenny's jealousy issues for introducing the reader to all the traditions surrounding a Chinese wedding. And it all works and the result is a really delightful story narrated by Jenny herself.
And you might think that Jenny did the charming oil, pencil and collage illustrations, which are really skillfully done by artist Yumi Heo to make them look like Jenny's perspective on things.
I loved the way each tradition was explained to make it easy for young (and older) readers, unfamiliar with Chinese wedding traditions, to understand and to appreciate their meanings. I knew I had to read this book as soon as I saw it. After all, my Kiddo just got engaged to her longtime boyfriend and will be having her own a traditional Chinese wedding in the near future and that is something new to us.
Both my Kiddo and her Peng Peng were born in the Year of the Dragon 1988 and that made his mother very excited - lots of luck there. And I knew about Hungbau, lucky money put into a red envelope, because we had exchanged this year for Chinese New Year.
But there was much that was new to me here and much that I am looking forward to. And that is the benefit of multicultural books - they teach you something new about different people and make you want to see, do and/or know more.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
As everyone looks at the traditional good luck presents from the bride's family, Jenny looks on with a sad face and as the children accompany Peter for good luck when he goes to pick up his bride, Jenny is squished in the car and unhappy. After finally offering enough tokens to her family to show how much he loves their daughter, beautiful Stella comes down in her good luck red wedding dress with the good luck dragons and phoenixes on it.
Everyone is smiling and laughing during family picture time, except you-know-who.
When it is time for the traditional tea ceremony, that little green monster Jealousy rears its head and Jenny decides to sabotage the tea. Finally, it takes a wise mother to quell all the sadness in Jenny's heart over losing her best uncle. Which is good since Uncle Peter and new Aunt Stella's wedding day is far from over and there is a lot more fun to be had.
I loved reading Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. First of all, it is a wonderful read aloud that will most likely generated lots of discussion. Secondly, Look deals very nicely with the feelings of jealousy a child might easily have when a favorite relative, and that would include one parent or the other, gets married. At the same time, she cleverly uses Jenny's jealousy issues for introducing the reader to all the traditions surrounding a Chinese wedding. And it all works and the result is a really delightful story narrated by Jenny herself.
And you might think that Jenny did the charming oil, pencil and collage illustrations, which are really skillfully done by artist Yumi Heo to make them look like Jenny's perspective on things.
I loved the way each tradition was explained to make it easy for young (and older) readers, unfamiliar with Chinese wedding traditions, to understand and to appreciate their meanings. I knew I had to read this book as soon as I saw it. After all, my Kiddo just got engaged to her longtime boyfriend and will be having her own a traditional Chinese wedding in the near future and that is something new to us.
Both my Kiddo and her Peng Peng were born in the Year of the Dragon 1988 and that made his mother very excited - lots of luck there. And I knew about Hungbau, lucky money put into a red envelope, because we had exchanged this year for Chinese New Year.
But there was much that was new to me here and much that I am looking forward to. And that is the benefit of multicultural books - they teach you something new about different people and make you want to see, do and/or know more.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
March 27, 2021
This charming, sweet picture book tells the story of a Chinese wedding from the perspective of a little girl who is distraught to see her favorite uncle get married. She wants to be the most important girl in his life, and the book expertly entwines her emotional arc with details about Chinese wedding traditions.
The writing is beautiful and poetic, describing the girl's feelings in vivid ways. For example, during the family photos, she writes about the bride, "There is nowhere else to stand except around Stella. She is the sun, and we are the rest of the universe. The camera follows Stella's every move. She twinkles and shines. I feel like cosmic dust." Despite her sadness, she comes to recognize that Uncle Peter and her new Aunt Stella will both love her, and the book ends on a happy note.
This book is wonderful for anyone who wants to learn about Chinese weddings. The author does a great job of connecting current practices with the varying details of what couples might have done a hundred or two hundred years ago, and this book celebrates a joyful blend of traditions and modernity. This would be a great book for teachers to use when introducing children to different cultures, and it would be a wonderful choice for a parent to read to a child who is anticipating or dreading a family member's wedding.
The writing is beautiful and poetic, describing the girl's feelings in vivid ways. For example, during the family photos, she writes about the bride, "There is nowhere else to stand except around Stella. She is the sun, and we are the rest of the universe. The camera follows Stella's every move. She twinkles and shines. I feel like cosmic dust." Despite her sadness, she comes to recognize that Uncle Peter and her new Aunt Stella will both love her, and the book ends on a happy note.
This book is wonderful for anyone who wants to learn about Chinese weddings. The author does a great job of connecting current practices with the varying details of what couples might have done a hundred or two hundred years ago, and this book celebrates a joyful blend of traditions and modernity. This would be a great book for teachers to use when introducing children to different cultures, and it would be a wonderful choice for a parent to read to a child who is anticipating or dreading a family member's wedding.
November 21, 2019
I read this for the multicultural requirement for my children's literature class. I was pleasantly surprised at the lessons in this book. Besides giving insight into the customs involved in a Chinese wedding, it also helps teach children about dealing with the various emotions they might feel when an interloper enters the family and "steals away" someone they are close to. The pictures are fun, depicting Jenny as she goes through the day of the wedding, including attempting to sabotage one of the important ceremonies.
May 3, 2020
It really reminded me of the time when my favorite aunt got married 😭🤣♥️
And, it’s a fruitful, informative, and interesting book that I’d love to read for my students.
And, it’s a fruitful, informative, and interesting book that I’d love to read for my students.
February 16, 2013
"I'm his special girl. Just me. I am the jelly on his toast, and the leaves in his tea. Now, I am an umbrella turned inside out. I squeeze back my tears."
This is a wonderful book that tells of a special relationship between a young girl and her uncle Peter who is getting married and everyone is happy except Jenny. The author weaves her story through the ins and outs of all of the traditions of a Chinese wedding. First their are stories of the groom, the presents from the bride's family, old Chinese traditions and how they have changed over the years, how the groom must bargain for the bride, and finally the bride appears in her traditional Chinese gown. Family pictures are taken, homage is paid to the ancient grandparents, and then comes the tea ceremony where Jenny tries to sabotage it by getting rid of the tea all because she is feeling left out. Read this beautifully told story and find out how Jenny learns to accept uncle Peter's new wife and all fit together like a family.
This is a great picture book for 2nd and 3rd graders alike. Their are illustrations and symbols of traditional Chinese culture with rich colors of red, yellow, blue, and greens. The characters are drawn and wearing authentic Chinese clothing and you get the feeling of the multi-generational family that has arrived to celebrate this beautiful wedding.
For the classroom, you could have students compare and contrast this Chinese wedding to other weddings they have been to. You could also compare this picture book to the movie Ramona and Beezus, where Beezus has a special relationship with her aunt and feels like she too is being left out of her aunt's life when she rekindles an old high school relationship and decides to get married. This is a fantastic book that also helps you learn about other cultures and wedding traditions.
This is a wonderful book that tells of a special relationship between a young girl and her uncle Peter who is getting married and everyone is happy except Jenny. The author weaves her story through the ins and outs of all of the traditions of a Chinese wedding. First their are stories of the groom, the presents from the bride's family, old Chinese traditions and how they have changed over the years, how the groom must bargain for the bride, and finally the bride appears in her traditional Chinese gown. Family pictures are taken, homage is paid to the ancient grandparents, and then comes the tea ceremony where Jenny tries to sabotage it by getting rid of the tea all because she is feeling left out. Read this beautifully told story and find out how Jenny learns to accept uncle Peter's new wife and all fit together like a family.
This is a great picture book for 2nd and 3rd graders alike. Their are illustrations and symbols of traditional Chinese culture with rich colors of red, yellow, blue, and greens. The characters are drawn and wearing authentic Chinese clothing and you get the feeling of the multi-generational family that has arrived to celebrate this beautiful wedding.
For the classroom, you could have students compare and contrast this Chinese wedding to other weddings they have been to. You could also compare this picture book to the movie Ramona and Beezus, where Beezus has a special relationship with her aunt and feels like she too is being left out of her aunt's life when she rekindles an old high school relationship and decides to get married. This is a fantastic book that also helps you learn about other cultures and wedding traditions.
March 19, 2010
This book is on the CCBC list of "50 Multi-cultural Books Every Child Should Know." Recommended for ages 4 - 8, it is a touching tale about a young girl who feels sad on her Uncle Peter's wedding day because he is her "best buddy" and she doesn't want to lose him to his new wife, Stella. "I'm his special girl. Just me. I am the jelly on his toast, and the leaves in his tea. Now, I am an umbrella turned inside out." The story ends beautifully with Stella giving her a very special gift--a box of butterflies!
Through this young girl's eyes, we join her on this wedding day and see many unique traditions of the Chinese culture such as lighting incense, bowing to the elders, a tea ceremony, the exchange of symbolic gifts for good luck, and the bed-jumping ceremony in which all of the young children jump on the new couples' bed that is all covered with sweets and treats.
The brightly painted illustrations use bold, simplistic designs with rounded faces, triangular bodies and a floating, dreamlike quality. There are Chinese cultural details on every page to delight the reader.
Excellent book that relates a very special family gathering.
Through this young girl's eyes, we join her on this wedding day and see many unique traditions of the Chinese culture such as lighting incense, bowing to the elders, a tea ceremony, the exchange of symbolic gifts for good luck, and the bed-jumping ceremony in which all of the young children jump on the new couples' bed that is all covered with sweets and treats.
The brightly painted illustrations use bold, simplistic designs with rounded faces, triangular bodies and a floating, dreamlike quality. There are Chinese cultural details on every page to delight the reader.
Excellent book that relates a very special family gathering.
July 6, 2016
Jenny, the protagonist, struggles with the fact that her Uncle Peter is getting married. She feels like she should be his only special girl. Jenny even gets a little devious and tries to derail the wedding. As she narrates the text you get perspective on her sadness about her uncle getting married, as well as information about traditional Chinese customs for a wedding. Appropriate for grades 1-3, this book can easily be used to learn more about Chinese wedding customs, but would also be wonderful for comparing and contrasting with a student’s own cultural wedding customs. Students of this age group can also relate to and learn from the frustration the character feels when no longer being the center of attention and needing to learn acceptance of others.
January 18, 2013
This story is about a little girl named Jenny who attends her Uncle Peter's wedding. Jenny and Uncle Peter are very close, when he decides to get married, Jenny feels left out. She is used to her uncle spending a lot of time together and now his attention is on his new wife.
I liked this book, I think that all kids would like this book and feel like they can relate to this book. This book tells you about a lot of traditions in the Chinese culture. I would recommend this book for K-4. I think that the lessons in this book would reach a wider audience, but the book seems to be designed for a younger audience.
I liked this book, I think that all kids would like this book and feel like they can relate to this book. This book tells you about a lot of traditions in the Chinese culture. I would recommend this book for K-4. I think that the lessons in this book would reach a wider audience, but the book seems to be designed for a younger audience.
May 27, 2016
A colorful tale of change and tradition told by a precocious Chinese American girl. Jenny's favorite uncle Peter is getting married and she's afraid their relationship will change when he begins his new life. On the big day, Chinese wedding traditions abound and Jenny finds herself being swept up in the festivities before learning the answers to all of her questions.
October 19, 2016
This fictional story is the tale of a young Chinese American girl whose uncle is getting married. The girl is upset that her uncle is marrying and worries that he will not have time for her anymore. There is some Chinese language included in the book with translation. The story describes some of the traditions followed in a Chinese wedding and also details how they have evolved over time. It also describes the meaning behind some Chinese customs such as bowing, tea ceremony and traditional gifts given at weddings that have special meaning. An interesting tradition describes is a bed jumping ceremony where the children jump on a bed as many times as they can to represent how many children the couple will have. The bed is also covered with sweets and treats that they children receive. They describe the custom of the bride changing into 100 different dresses and give the ingredients in fertility soup. When her uncle’s new wife gives her the honor of releasing the butterflies at the end of the wedding, the girls jealously subsides and she welcomes her to the family. This is a sweet story whose plot line with keep even young students interested while teaching them about some of the customs involved in a Chinese wedding ceremony.
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October 30, 2020Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding is quite a cute story depicting child who is sad that her best bud is getting married and she won't be the only girl in his life anymore. This story shows how a traditional Chinese wedding is set up in modern times. All the different types of traditional ceremonial events are portrayed very well in this story with nice illustrations to go along with the text. The addition of different ceremonial events in this book can be quite interesting for readers with a curious mind. It allows for children to raise questions about what goes on in a wedding and how this Chinese traditional wedding may differ from other weddings. It allows for children to relate and see the difference between what they know and what they don't know. One can use the opportunity while reading this book to show the cultural differences among cultural groups that allows for children to be exposed to other cultures as well. This particular informational fiction has a pretty good plot to it with language that is pretty suitable for readers of all age to learn new information.
October 15, 2017
This was a sweet book about a little Chinese girl named Jenny, who was much like a tomboy and has a special relationship with her Uncle Peter. Peter is getting married to Stella and everyone is happy except Jenny. She is a little incensed at the thought of her Uncle getting married and a little jealous. The story goes through the wedding traditions common to the Chinese and at the end of the day Stella presents Jenny with a box. Stella says she is her first and only niece and she wanted her to do the honors of opening the box. Jenny opens the box and there are a ton of butterflies. Stella reaches out and hugs Jenny and tells her thank you for sharing your uncle with me. Jenny is happy once again. This is a life lesson book on jealousy and how sometimes things work out unexpectedly in your favor. Great illustrations as well.
March 12, 2019
I enjoyed this book because I thought that it was a sweet story about a little girl and her best friend. The girl goes from being the center of attention to have to share the spotlight. It shows that many different people can be special in your life.
I also liked this book from a teacher standpoint. This book could help students realize that they are not the only ones and that people like their parents have to make time for others, like there siblings. This is a book I would use to start a discussion and I also liked the illustrations.
I also liked this book from a teacher standpoint. This book could help students realize that they are not the only ones and that people like their parents have to make time for others, like there siblings. This is a book I would use to start a discussion and I also liked the illustrations.
July 17, 2018
This was such a good book--the emotions in it are so, so strong and I adored getting to see into another culture's wedding traditions! I would have rated it five stars, but the illustrations were just a little too childish for me. I understand the illustrator was more than likely going for an authentic, this-was-created-by-Jenny feel, which it did achieve in a way, but I wish they had been done just a bit better. Otherwise, this book was awesome!!
May 30, 2019
In Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding, written by Leonore Look and illustrated by Yumi Heo, narrator Jenny walks us through the process of her favorite uncle getting married and how it impacts her life.
Jenny feels left out, during both the traditional Chinese and America festivities, describing herself like an "umbrella turned inside out." The way she eyes Stella, Uncle Peter's bride-to-be suspiciously throughout the book is priceless. The writing is poetic, engaging, and touching.
Kids and parents of all backgrounds will enjoy reading about that familiar left-out feeling, while those not familiar with Chinese wedding customs will enjoy this opportunity to learn about the beauty of the traditions, as they are mixed with "American" wedding traditions.
The illustrations are bright, uplifting, evocative and a perfect match for the writing!
The ending is, in a word, sublime.
This books gets 5 out of 5 stars. Published in 2006, it stands the test of time. Required reading for every child. Loved it!
Jacket illustrations by Yumi Heo. Jacket design by Polly Kanevksy and Kristin Smith.
An Anne Schwartz Book. Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, part of @simonkids @simonandschuster
#AcceleratedReader Level 4.2.
#bookseverlasting #librariansbooks
#leonorelook #yumiheo
#bookstagram #bookish #readersofinstagram #kidlit #picturebooks #books #bookreviews
#equality #diversity #multicultural #inclusive #childrensbooks #chinese
#kidsbookstagram #kids #aunts #uncles #weddings #aapi #aapih #asianamericanpacificislanderheritagemonth #asianamerican #storytime #readaloud #librariansofinstagram
Jenny feels left out, during both the traditional Chinese and America festivities, describing herself like an "umbrella turned inside out." The way she eyes Stella, Uncle Peter's bride-to-be suspiciously throughout the book is priceless. The writing is poetic, engaging, and touching.
Kids and parents of all backgrounds will enjoy reading about that familiar left-out feeling, while those not familiar with Chinese wedding customs will enjoy this opportunity to learn about the beauty of the traditions, as they are mixed with "American" wedding traditions.
The illustrations are bright, uplifting, evocative and a perfect match for the writing!
The ending is, in a word, sublime.
This books gets 5 out of 5 stars. Published in 2006, it stands the test of time. Required reading for every child. Loved it!
Jacket illustrations by Yumi Heo. Jacket design by Polly Kanevksy and Kristin Smith.
An Anne Schwartz Book. Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, part of @simonkids @simonandschuster
#AcceleratedReader Level 4.2.
#bookseverlasting #librariansbooks
#leonorelook #yumiheo
#bookstagram #bookish #readersofinstagram #kidlit #picturebooks #books #bookreviews
#equality #diversity #multicultural #inclusive #childrensbooks #chinese
#kidsbookstagram #kids #aunts #uncles #weddings #aapi #aapih #asianamericanpacificislanderheritagemonth #asianamerican #storytime #readaloud #librariansofinstagram
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August 2, 2019Jen supposes she ought to be happy for her Uncle Peter on his wedding day, but she can't help but be sad that she won't be his only special girl anymore. As they go through the traditions of this special day - jumping on the bed to ensure fertility, showing off gorgeous dresses, eating special foods, and more - Jen's still feeling sad about "losing" her uncle, until her new aunt makes her feel special about gaining an aunt.
September 26, 2019
What a wonderful story! This book highlights Chinese Wedding traditions and deals with the difficult emotions of loss, fear, and abandonment. When her favorite uncle is getting married (the uncle that spent all his time with her, his special girl), Jenny has a hard time accepting the new changes happening. Despite everything that is going on, Jenny learns that some things never really change, love is always there.
February 1, 2020
Another amazing book by Lenore Look introducing the traditions of Chinese-American culture. In this book, Jen is sad to see her favorite uncle to get married. She has always been his special girl and she worries that he won't have time for her now that he is married. Jen is naughty and attempts to ruin the wedding but discovers along the way how important the day is for not only her uncle but her family and herself.
October 15, 2017
I have to admit I enjoyed reading about Uncle Pete's special little niece and her antics. The poor little girl hides the tea and trick everyone into drinking water at Stella's place. She also tries to pull Uncle Pete away from his bride. This is a great book to help children in the family cope when an Aunt or Uncle they are attached to get married.
February 5, 2022
This was a nice story, though very wordy and not many illustrations. I like how descriptive it was about the wedding ceremony and how the narrator also mentions how the ceremony has changed from 100/200 years ago. It was fairly well paced and the artwork was okay. I feel it was average in general.
July 6, 2024
4.9 stars
I can see why it might've been in the closed stacks. Wedding traditions can be offensive to women. It is, but the story was more about feeling being shoved aside and wanting to be seen. It was sweet. Thank you Lenore Look and Yumi Heo
I can see why it might've been in the closed stacks. Wedding traditions can be offensive to women. It is, but the story was more about feeling being shoved aside and wanting to be seen. It was sweet. Thank you Lenore Look and Yumi Heo
November 25, 2020
The ending is interesting. I did like the story except for that.
September 7, 2023
3.5*
I learned a lot about Chinese weddings in this book, but it was a lengthy read and I honestly put this children’s book down and came back to it. The illustrations are great and I really did appreciate that I learned a lot. However, the MC was low-key annoying. It had a great wrap-up and felt that the story had a beginning, middle, and end.
I learned a lot about Chinese weddings in this book, but it was a lengthy read and I honestly put this children’s book down and came back to it. The illustrations are great and I really did appreciate that I learned a lot. However, the MC was low-key annoying. It had a great wrap-up and felt that the story had a beginning, middle, and end.
April 20, 2016
In this picture book, language is simple, as used by the young: "This is my uncle Peter, my father's baby brother, the coolest dude, a girl's best buddy"... say the little Chinese girl presenting her uncle who is about to marry; it uses expression and words in Chinese here and there that can be didactic to aproach kids to Chinese culture and language, as well as their traditions. The images depict both cultures objects, Chinese and American, as well as the characters' clothes, festive, since they are celebrating a wedding. In general it's colorful and expressive, one detail is that it only depicts faces of Chinese people, in that sense, the book is not inclusive, but in the other hand it's showing some aspects of a family intimate event.
The characters seem to be fully realized in the sense that they are precise in their actions and sayings, like the little girls who is assertive on her frustration and unhappiness for her favorite uncle is getting married - we don't get to know the girls name, by the way.
Although the story has a sad-ish beginning, it grows into illustrating good role modeling, attitude development towards frustration and bad feelings.
Difference is constructed around Chinese traditions, modern and old, making slight comparisons about them. It shows kids how every culture has important traditions that are followed in different ways, just like every culture does but sharing at the same time similar elements, such as family traditions, parties, and special occasions, which every culture has.
Material wealth is acknowledge in the variety of presents and the abundance of food, tea and candy, things that in the book are said to provide cheerfulness and joy.
Since is the story of a family festive event, the links and relations are presented as supportive and positive, the mother's consolations for the girl's contempt, culinary Chinese traditions, the talk from the bride who caused indirectly the girl's discomfort, all these elements help transfroming the negative experience of the girl into something that she also enjoys and appreciates at the end, which promotes good relations in spite of negative attitudes.
This book can help little kids to overcome changes and evolutions of situations in life that sometimes are hard to deal and get over with.
The characters seem to be fully realized in the sense that they are precise in their actions and sayings, like the little girls who is assertive on her frustration and unhappiness for her favorite uncle is getting married - we don't get to know the girls name, by the way.
Although the story has a sad-ish beginning, it grows into illustrating good role modeling, attitude development towards frustration and bad feelings.
Difference is constructed around Chinese traditions, modern and old, making slight comparisons about them. It shows kids how every culture has important traditions that are followed in different ways, just like every culture does but sharing at the same time similar elements, such as family traditions, parties, and special occasions, which every culture has.
Material wealth is acknowledge in the variety of presents and the abundance of food, tea and candy, things that in the book are said to provide cheerfulness and joy.
Since is the story of a family festive event, the links and relations are presented as supportive and positive, the mother's consolations for the girl's contempt, culinary Chinese traditions, the talk from the bride who caused indirectly the girl's discomfort, all these elements help transfroming the negative experience of the girl into something that she also enjoys and appreciates at the end, which promotes good relations in spite of negative attitudes.
This book can help little kids to overcome changes and evolutions of situations in life that sometimes are hard to deal and get over with.
February 28, 2010
This is a fun story about a young girl, Jenny, who favorite uncle is getting married. She is quite unhappy while everyone around is preparing the big day. She fears that once ger uncle gets married, he will forget about her or at least not spend as much time with her. She somewhat wants to stop the wedding, but of course she doesn't. The family does the traditional wedding things such as the bath before the wedding, giving present to the groom's family, and so forth. Meanwhile little Jenny is very unhappy. The groom must bargain for the bride to show his love. He offers tokens, an earring, a key chain, and a jawbreaker from Jenny plus two hundred dollars. He then has to perform some tasks the bride's family asks. The traditional tea ceremony takes place in which the family official accepts the bride. Little Jenny tries to mess up the whole thing when she pours out the tea and puts water in its place. Her parents figure out that it was her that switched the water for tea. While in another room, she explains her "sadness" to her mother. Her mother explains to her that she will miss her once she leaves home. Jenny tries to continue with the day's events. She participates in the bed jumping ceremony. She goes on to attend the banquet. At the end of the banquet, Stella, her new auntie gives her a big job, Jenny is allowed to let the butterflies flutter out at the end of the ceremony. The ceremony ends and Jenny is finally happy as her uncle and her new aunt give her a big hug.
The story can be any girl in the world who has an uncle who is getting married. The difference is that this a story about a Chinese family and the story explains some of the traditional Chinese wedding activities. Children can relate to the story because it is a young girl who just wants to keep her uncle to herself. The story can used to show children that even though a family member may be leaving for various reasons, they still love you and will always love you.
The story can be any girl in the world who has an uncle who is getting married. The difference is that this a story about a Chinese family and the story explains some of the traditional Chinese wedding activities. Children can relate to the story because it is a young girl who just wants to keep her uncle to herself. The story can used to show children that even though a family member may be leaving for various reasons, they still love you and will always love you.
March 26, 2026
Genre: contemporary realistic fiction
Grade Level: 2nd - 5th
This book, while it is a picture book, explains a lot about Chinese culture and how they do weddings. It is very different from our American/Western weddings and this book does a great job of explaining everything and making it easy to follow along with and learn new things. The illustrations do a good job of showing us what the author is trying to explain and what it realistically looks like at a Chinese wedding.
Grade Level: 2nd - 5th
This book, while it is a picture book, explains a lot about Chinese culture and how they do weddings. It is very different from our American/Western weddings and this book does a great job of explaining everything and making it easy to follow along with and learn new things. The illustrations do a good job of showing us what the author is trying to explain and what it realistically looks like at a Chinese wedding.
December 23, 2016
Summary:
What is a girl to do when her favorite, cool uncle is getting married on the special day they usually spend together? Jenny wonders if her soon-to-be Aunt Stella is going to take her place as her uncle’s number one special girl. Everyone is excited about the wedding except Jenny who misses the amazing wedding events. At the end of the story, Aunt Stella chooses Jenny to release a box of butterflies and thanks her for sharing her uncle for the day. At the end of the story, Jenny hugs Aunt Stella and welcomes her into the family.
Reaction:
The oil, pencil, and collage illustrations in the book add a childlike whimsical story told from Jenny’s perspective. Hero scatters culturally important lucky symbols used in the Chinese wedding ceremony, such as the double happiness stamp, flowers, and two swimming ducks in the illustrations. This delightful story illustrates Chinese-American wedding traditions of bargaining for the bride who wears a red dress for good luck, taking photos, bowing to the family ancestors, preparing for the tea ceremony, exchanging red packets of lucky money called Hungbau, bed-jumping for treats, helping the bride with her many dresses, eating red-bean-and-tapioca "fertility soup," catching the floral bouquet, and the showering of butterflies to signify the end of the wedding celebration.
Use:
This is a fun story to use when teaching children about Chinese-American wedding traditions as well as generating discussion on how a child feels when losing a favorite family member or parent that just got married.
What is a girl to do when her favorite, cool uncle is getting married on the special day they usually spend together? Jenny wonders if her soon-to-be Aunt Stella is going to take her place as her uncle’s number one special girl. Everyone is excited about the wedding except Jenny who misses the amazing wedding events. At the end of the story, Aunt Stella chooses Jenny to release a box of butterflies and thanks her for sharing her uncle for the day. At the end of the story, Jenny hugs Aunt Stella and welcomes her into the family.
Reaction:
The oil, pencil, and collage illustrations in the book add a childlike whimsical story told from Jenny’s perspective. Hero scatters culturally important lucky symbols used in the Chinese wedding ceremony, such as the double happiness stamp, flowers, and two swimming ducks in the illustrations. This delightful story illustrates Chinese-American wedding traditions of bargaining for the bride who wears a red dress for good luck, taking photos, bowing to the family ancestors, preparing for the tea ceremony, exchanging red packets of lucky money called Hungbau, bed-jumping for treats, helping the bride with her many dresses, eating red-bean-and-tapioca "fertility soup," catching the floral bouquet, and the showering of butterflies to signify the end of the wedding celebration.
Use:
This is a fun story to use when teaching children about Chinese-American wedding traditions as well as generating discussion on how a child feels when losing a favorite family member or parent that just got married.
June 10, 2014
The heroine in this book is a young Chinese American girl reluctantly attending her favorite uncles wedding. I love how easy one can relate to the character even though the culture is different. The young girl is your typical little girl who loves her uncle and wants to remain his “best girl”. I think the book captures aspects of both cultures well. In the beginning she uses the term “coolest dude” to describe her uncle and expresses her disappointment of having to attend his wedding when they should be at the playground eating a “hot dog lunch” as they usually do on Saturdays.
This book stays away from the “single story” in that it shows a different facet to Chinese culture then we’re use to. This is a great book to use to introduce some Chinese traditions that we’re not use to reading. The book switches gears when the young girl tells of all that is going on as her family prepares for the wedding. The Chinese traditions are quickly seen, as they get ready. The reader will have no problem distinguishing the Chinese wedding traditions from the American traditions they may be use to. The author introduces us to many traditions like bargaining for the bride’s love, incense lighting to honor ancient grandparents, just to name a few. I recommend reading this book as a way to show the uniqueness of culture while at the same time showing the life of a young girl who likes having fun and being important to people which is something that transcends culture.
This book stays away from the “single story” in that it shows a different facet to Chinese culture then we’re use to. This is a great book to use to introduce some Chinese traditions that we’re not use to reading. The book switches gears when the young girl tells of all that is going on as her family prepares for the wedding. The Chinese traditions are quickly seen, as they get ready. The reader will have no problem distinguishing the Chinese wedding traditions from the American traditions they may be use to. The author introduces us to many traditions like bargaining for the bride’s love, incense lighting to honor ancient grandparents, just to name a few. I recommend reading this book as a way to show the uniqueness of culture while at the same time showing the life of a young girl who likes having fun and being important to people which is something that transcends culture.
January 29, 2011
"Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding" is told from the perspective of a young girl named Jenny who has a great relationship with her Uncle Peter. They do everything together, but when the day comes for Uncle Peter to get married, Jenny is jealous and feels left out.
The goal of this book is to show children that as families change over time, our love for each other can remain strong. However, what I found to be really interesting were the Chinese wedding traditions. Author Lenore Look takes us through what I can only assume to be a typical Chinese wedding, which is completely different than any wedding I have ever experienced. From the food they eat, to the clothing, to the ceremony itself, to the gifts, every aspect was something new for me to discover.
This book would be great for primary grades. You can use it when discussing families, family traditions, different cultural traditions, Chinese traditions, and more. Plus, the illustrations are fun and really give a unique feel to the story.
The goal of this book is to show children that as families change over time, our love for each other can remain strong. However, what I found to be really interesting were the Chinese wedding traditions. Author Lenore Look takes us through what I can only assume to be a typical Chinese wedding, which is completely different than any wedding I have ever experienced. From the food they eat, to the clothing, to the ceremony itself, to the gifts, every aspect was something new for me to discover.
This book would be great for primary grades. You can use it when discussing families, family traditions, different cultural traditions, Chinese traditions, and more. Plus, the illustrations are fun and really give a unique feel to the story.
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