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The Blue Bowl
A young boy realizes, thanks to his family, that he can enjoy both his Chinese and North American cultures through his favourite dishes
Max loves his family’s Cantonese meals, like steamed rice and gai lan greens with oyster sauce, homemade dumplings, and scallion bread. But sometimes he can’t help thinking about French fries, tacos, and ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. For his birthday dinner, Max is really hoping for spaghetti and meatballs, but instead he and his family are headed to Maa Maa and Ye Ye’s house for a celebration dinner—and Max is pretty sure that spaghetti won’t be served in the familiar blue bowls that came all the way from Hong Kong with his grandparents. But Max is delighted to discover that his understanding family has discovered a way to bring two cultures together with delicious dishes that are a combination of all the foods he loves. Based on the author’s own experiences growing up, The Blue Bowl will speak to many children and adults alike with similar experiences and bring a new perspective to those who do not share in this experience. With deliciously eye-catching illustrations and descriptive, inviting text, readers will be reminded of all their favourite foods as they follow along with Max’s story.
Max loves his family’s Cantonese meals, like steamed rice and gai lan greens with oyster sauce, homemade dumplings, and scallion bread. But sometimes he can’t help thinking about French fries, tacos, and ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. For his birthday dinner, Max is really hoping for spaghetti and meatballs, but instead he and his family are headed to Maa Maa and Ye Ye’s house for a celebration dinner—and Max is pretty sure that spaghetti won’t be served in the familiar blue bowls that came all the way from Hong Kong with his grandparents. But Max is delighted to discover that his understanding family has discovered a way to bring two cultures together with delicious dishes that are a combination of all the foods he loves. Based on the author’s own experiences growing up, The Blue Bowl will speak to many children and adults alike with similar experiences and bring a new perspective to those who do not share in this experience. With deliciously eye-catching illustrations and descriptive, inviting text, readers will be reminded of all their favourite foods as they follow along with Max’s story.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 11, 2024
A cheerful picture book that pays homage to culture and tradition while also creating spacing for trying and enjoying new things.
November 24, 2023
This is kind of a light tour of cultural foods via a little boy's family & his birthday celebration. He tells us about his Cantonese family's traditions, & that's how the blue bowls come into the story. His descriptions of the foods are 'mouth watering!' And the illustrations are wonderful.....& colorful & detailed......the pictures are really fun to look at! I think this would be a great conversation starter about different foods, it'd be fun to read & share with a kid! This would be great to have in every library!
I received an e-ARC of this book from publisher Owlkid Books via NetGalley, for review purposes...& these are my own fair & honest opinions.
I received an e-ARC of this book from publisher Owlkid Books via NetGalley, for review purposes...& these are my own fair & honest opinions.
December 13, 2023
This was such an amazing book that tells a story of culture and multigenerational family tradition through food, celebrations, and family heirlooms. Filled with beautifully illustrated pages, it's such a sweet story about Max and his family as he shares a variety of his favourite foods in preparation for his upcoming birthday party, which includes both traditional Chinese dishes and treats and Italian-inspired dishes.
April 10, 2024
Wonderful Picture Book
A beautiful picture book about a boy who lives in the U.S. and has experienced a lot of different food. His family is Cantonese and while he loves their food, sometimes he craves other foods. So on his birthday, he’s wary that he will get the usual Cantonese food he always eats at home.
A beautiful picture book about a boy who lives in the U.S. and has experienced a lot of different food. His family is Cantonese and while he loves their food, sometimes he craves other foods. So on his birthday, he’s wary that he will get the usual Cantonese food he always eats at home.
November 4, 2023
**Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Max's family is Cantonese, and the blue bowls they use remind him of his culture. His parents and other family members often make familiar, comforting dishes that take them back to their roots. While Max does like Cantonese food, he wishes to explore other kinds of food more, too. For his birthday, he wanted to go to an Italian restaurant, but this doesn't end up happening. However, his cousins do make some Italian food and bring it to dinner. This is a story about culture, love, and family.
Max's family is Cantonese, and the blue bowls they use remind him of his culture. His parents and other family members often make familiar, comforting dishes that take them back to their roots. While Max does like Cantonese food, he wishes to explore other kinds of food more, too. For his birthday, he wanted to go to an Italian restaurant, but this doesn't end up happening. However, his cousins do make some Italian food and bring it to dinner. This is a story about culture, love, and family.
November 21, 2023
Miigweetch to Owlkids and Netgalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
This was a cozy illustrated children’s story about a child’s experience eating a variety of cultural cuisines in his family home. I enjoyed how gentle this story was, and felt the illustrations perfectly complemented the subject matter.
I would recommend this book for read-alouds and elementary libraries.
This was a cozy illustrated children’s story about a child’s experience eating a variety of cultural cuisines in his family home. I enjoyed how gentle this story was, and felt the illustrations perfectly complemented the subject matter.
I would recommend this book for read-alouds and elementary libraries.
April 1, 2024
Max loves all kinds of food. He loves his family’s Cantonese food, which he always knows is coming when the blue bowls come out. He loves going out to eat with cousins and grandparents, but sometimes he wishes he could have a mix of his favorite Italian dishes with some of the Cantonese, or ice cream with sprinkles for dessert at his favorite restaurant. They are headed to his grandparents’ house for his birthday so he knows the food will be yummy Cantonese, but he can’t help wishing there was a little mix of some of his other favorite foods in there too. He doesn’t think it could happen, but could it?
I like how the story shows a family knowing the desires of a child they love’s heart. Kids have a hard time verbally expressing how they feel torn between cultures sometimes, but preferences for different kinds of food could be an area where they can express themselves. I can see Max’s story being used as a springboard for adults to help third culture kids or children/grandchildren of immigrants process their love for their unique blends of cultures that make up their life.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I like how the story shows a family knowing the desires of a child they love’s heart. Kids have a hard time verbally expressing how they feel torn between cultures sometimes, but preferences for different kinds of food could be an area where they can express themselves. I can see Max’s story being used as a springboard for adults to help third culture kids or children/grandchildren of immigrants process their love for their unique blends of cultures that make up their life.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2024
Sometimes there’s spaghetti and meatballs for dinner at Max’s house. Other times, his family gets out the blue bowls and chopsticks and there’s steamed rice, gai lan greens with oyster sauce and homemade dumplings. Max likes the Cantonese foods his family makes, but he also loves thick-cut fries, tacos and pizza. For his birthday celebration at Maa Maa and Ye Ye’s house, Max knows to expect steamed fish, sticky rice, lettuce cups and extra-long noodles. Then unexpected dishes appear: scallion bread with garlic and cheese!, a Caesar salad with cucumbers!, and spaghetti! And to top it off, a frosted layer cake with mango, sprinkles and seven candles to blow out!
I loved reading about a little boy’s food obsessions and how his family eats around the globe. It’s so sweet that Max’s family acknowledges his tastes and melds his favorite Italian food with Chinese celebratory foods. This story excels at depicting a close, loving Chinese-North American family in bright, colorful digital art. It’s a feel-good story that had me hungering for dinner!
The only thing I didn't like: the digital art wasn’t so good at depicting the actual foods.
I loved reading about a little boy’s food obsessions and how his family eats around the globe. It’s so sweet that Max’s family acknowledges his tastes and melds his favorite Italian food with Chinese celebratory foods. This story excels at depicting a close, loving Chinese-North American family in bright, colorful digital art. It’s a feel-good story that had me hungering for dinner!
The only thing I didn't like: the digital art wasn’t so good at depicting the actual foods.
January 11, 2024
I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
A warm and supportive multigenerational family story. Max's family is Cantonese and celebrates their cultural foods. Max struggles as he also likes different foods he has tried. His immediate family eats a variety of food styles but when they gather as an extended family, the food is always Cantonese. When they go out to eat, they always eat at a Cantonese restaurant. For his birthday, Max really wants to go to an Italian restaurant but the family gathers at his grandparents' home. To his surprise, his cousins bring out different dishes to blend with the Cantonese meal. Max realizes he can like a blended menu of options and still celebrate his heritage.
Leung captures the emotions and struggles involved in honoring your heritage and finding your own identity. The joy and love found in gathering with multiple generations comes through clearly as well.
The artwork is highly detailed and welcoming to readers. This is a must for elementary libraries.
A warm and supportive multigenerational family story. Max's family is Cantonese and celebrates their cultural foods. Max struggles as he also likes different foods he has tried. His immediate family eats a variety of food styles but when they gather as an extended family, the food is always Cantonese. When they go out to eat, they always eat at a Cantonese restaurant. For his birthday, Max really wants to go to an Italian restaurant but the family gathers at his grandparents' home. To his surprise, his cousins bring out different dishes to blend with the Cantonese meal. Max realizes he can like a blended menu of options and still celebrate his heritage.
Leung captures the emotions and struggles involved in honoring your heritage and finding your own identity. The joy and love found in gathering with multiple generations comes through clearly as well.
The artwork is highly detailed and welcoming to readers. This is a must for elementary libraries.
February 18, 2024
How can a simple, familiar blue bowl make someone feel like they belong? This is the question that Flo Leung weaves into a beautiful story about food, family, traditions, culture, through the eyes of young Max, the second-generation Cantonese-Canadian child growing up in the cosmopolitan city of Toronto.
Through Max’s eyes and tastebuds, we lean about his favourite meals from around the city, all made familiar to him in the blue bowls used by his family. Readers will connect to a favorite dish, cup, or plate as Max and his sister set the table. And will, no doubt, see their own families reflected in the changing and merging traditions shown in Max’s family.
This delightful story is both about feeling seen and understanding the importance of our roots.
+A digital advanced copy was provided, and I am providing this review of my own accord.+
Through Max’s eyes and tastebuds, we lean about his favourite meals from around the city, all made familiar to him in the blue bowls used by his family. Readers will connect to a favorite dish, cup, or plate as Max and his sister set the table. And will, no doubt, see their own families reflected in the changing and merging traditions shown in Max’s family.
This delightful story is both about feeling seen and understanding the importance of our roots.
+A digital advanced copy was provided, and I am providing this review of my own accord.+
May 27, 2024
A fusion picture book in the truest sense -- Max loves his family's Cantonese meals eaten on the special blue bowls his grandparents brought with them from Hong Kong. But he can't help but also love his favorite American foods like tacos, burgers, french fries, and rainbow sprinkles. For his birthday this year, Max is hoping for spaghetti and meatballs -- his favorite Italian American food -- but he's sure that his grandparents won't make it. But on the night of his birthday, he is pleasantly surprised when his cousins have prepared a Cantonese Italian American feast complete with mango cake and rainbow sprinkles. Charming, heartening, and culturally relevant -- this story will likely ring true for many second-generation immigrants.
February 1, 2024
This delightful book explores how food can connect us to family and culture, even if we live in a different place. Max learns that the familiar Cantonese family dishes merge very well with the diverse dishes from around his home. "But it all works together, and it feels just right."- wonderful sentiment. One thing I appreciated about this story is that there wasn't the trope of Max being made fun of for having different foods. There is one quick statement about kids at lunch who said that the dumplings are stinky but Max disagrees. The story doesn't dwell on the sometimes negative aspects of having differences, but rather focuses on celebrating how we mesh together.
November 22, 2023
The Blue Bowl was a very cute picture book about food and family. Max is Cantonese, and knows that when his family pulls out their blue bowl, they are going to enjoy a traditional meal together. The book is colourful and cozy, though it lightly touches on how other children might not always appreciate his food. My only slight issue is when they refer to "soups that are hard to pronounce". As a librarian, I wouldn't want to read that as part of a read-aloud.
Thank you to NetGalley and OwlKids Books for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and OwlKids Books for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2024
When Max sets the table with the blue bowls, he knows he will be enjoying his familiy's Cantonese
dishes. As much as he loves the food, he also loves other foods, like tacos, pizza and fries. When
he celebrates his birthday at his grandparents' home, he is happy to see that his cousins have
combined flavors from other cuisines in some of the dishes. Max has the best of both worlds - the
Cantonese food of his grandparents and other world cuisines.
Delightful picture book.
#TheBlueBowl #NetGalley
dishes. As much as he loves the food, he also loves other foods, like tacos, pizza and fries. When
he celebrates his birthday at his grandparents' home, he is happy to see that his cousins have
combined flavors from other cuisines in some of the dishes. Max has the best of both worlds - the
Cantonese food of his grandparents and other world cuisines.
Delightful picture book.
#TheBlueBowl #NetGalley
February 9, 2024
What a celebration of food! Max’s Cantonese family fills their plates with the tastes and smells of home and celebrates with foods that comfort and feel familiar. But Max also enjoys pasta from a local restaurant, pizza from school and ice cream from anywhere! As he wonders if he can enjoy those, too, his family gathers to recognize his birthday and the table is covered not only with Cantonese cuisine but many from his other favorite cultures! Terrific message honoring family culture and those of others.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss Plus.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss Plus.
August 28, 2024
The Blue Bowl. Flo Leung. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book] [3 stars]
First sentence: Delicious smells waft from the kitchen.
Premise/plot: A young boy, Max, loves to eat. He doesn't just love food from his own ethnic background--the food his parents and grandparents love, love, love to make. He likes all sorts of flavors. He is a little shy about voicing exactly what he wants for his special birthday dinner, but, all is well--mostly.
My thoughts: This one was okay. The book celebrates food, culture, and family. It is also a "birthday" themed picture book.
October 23, 2023
This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates cultural foods, showing how a young boy enjoys his family's traditional Chinese foods and typical American foods. There isn't much of a story here, but this has a sweet, warm family focus and highlights common experiences for kids with multicultural identities.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2024
"The Blue Bowl" by Flo Leung reflects the melting pot of food culture as well as human culture. Food can represent history, family, caring, and the future. The creation of a "new" food to match Max's mixed desires can inspire families to create new traditions. The story and illustrations are just the right helping of relatable feelings and new experiences. The only reason I didn't give five stars was I was hoping for a recipe!
Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc. All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2024
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
This book is a wonderful story about family and how food brings as together. Max loves all kinds of food but knows when the blue bowls come out it's Cantonese food to eat. When his birthday comes around he wants to go to an Italian restaurant but ends up at his grandparents house. He is surprised that they include some Italian flavors and most importantly a rainbow sprinkled cake ! Just like he wanted.
This book is a wonderful story about family and how food brings as together. Max loves all kinds of food but knows when the blue bowls come out it's Cantonese food to eat. When his birthday comes around he wants to go to an Italian restaurant but ends up at his grandparents house. He is surprised that they include some Italian flavors and most importantly a rainbow sprinkled cake ! Just like he wanted.
October 8, 2023
A book that values learning one’s cultural cuisine and being aware of and open to other food as well. With inviting and beautifully drawn moments of family, togetherness, and Cantonese dishes that are bound to evoke hunger if you’re not too careful, it all works together to show how everything and everyone belongs and should be celebrated :)
December 16, 2023
I like that writers see that children need books on their level to discuss the significant cultural aspects of growing up. This book is perfect because it teaches children and adults that it is okay to merge old traditions with new ones and that each part of your life (culture, surroundings, geographic location, etc.) builds you into the person you are.
September 4, 2024
Max loves his family’s Cantonese cooking but he also wishes for some other cultures cooking. He wants pizza and sprinkle cake, French fries and tacos.
Being a second generation immigrant can feel very alienating at times. I’m grateful for books like this one that help us see the commonality in the differences.
Being a second generation immigrant can feel very alienating at times. I’m grateful for books like this one that help us see the commonality in the differences.
January 30, 2024
A wonderful story to share with my kids. Teaches us about cultures and family through foods. Thank you to the publisher for a copy.
May 2, 2024
This book reminds me of my father in law who would eat lasagna with rice, as well as my Japanese grandmother who thought Pizza Hut was great for birthdays.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews