18 July 2001
Children's Book review
Ruth Ng

Let's Go Yum Char is a very sweet book which is being published by the Doncaster Chinese Women's Group. Aimed at 4 to 8 year olds, it is also suitable for anyone with a general interest in learning about Chinese culture (or for those of us with a susceptibility to Children's picture books!).

It tells the simple story of Molly who goes for 'Yum Char' with her family for the first time. The book, written in both English and Chinese (Cantonese), is simply worded, with lifelike illustrations by Roger Holgate.

Molly begins by asking what 'yum char' is, eagerly anticipating the visit there the following day. This did initially confuse me. Being a gweilo-girl I was wondering if 'Yum Char' was the name of a restaurant that they'd go to for dimsum. My rather more aware housemates laughingly pointed out that 'Yum Char' is 'drinking tea - indicating one of the traditions of going for dimsum.

Anyway, off Molly and family go for dimsum.

We see Molly being introduced to chopsticks, Har Gow and Siew Mai and other dimsum delicacies, seeing the waiter bring tea for everyone, before sleepily going home.

The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful, so it's rather a shame that the colours on the front cover don't reflect the quality inside. I love the detail that's been put into the drawings, with the expressions on Molly's toys' faces changing as she experiences different things, and also the variety of Chinese faces portrayed showing quite clearly that all Chinese people obviously don'tlook alike! The story is very simple, with large and easy to read text in English directly below the Chinese characters.

I already want to pounce upon the dimsum copy to claim it in anticipation of the day when I'll have my own children - it will make wonderful bedtime reading, which I can read to them in English, and which their Chinese grandparents will be able to read to them in Cantonese. Looking through the book I could already tell how popular it would be with young children - there are so many interesting things going on in the pictures that can be talked about alongside of the story, and it will clearly relate to their day to day lives.

This is a definite *must have* book, and at 4.99 is a real bargain. I'm personallyhoping that there will be a follow-on book perhaps looking at another area of Chinese culture / tradition / family life.

All proceeds from the sale of the book are going to the Doncaster Chinese Women's Group to further its charitable causes. Copies can be ordered using the order form. Please let them know that you ordered through Dimsum.
You can find out more about the group here :www.doncasterchinese.com