OWN VOICES: Larissa Fan’s story of an overlooked child is a reimagining of her father’s experiences growing up in Tainan, Taiwan, where up-and-coming Taipei illustrator Cindy Wume also hails from.

GIRL POWER/GIRLS IN THE WORLD: This timely tale of a young girl who forges her own path and persists in her quest to be seen and heard will have universal resonance for girls and women and anyone who feels invisible.

INSPIRATIONAL: Tender, poignant text brings to light unfortunate realities about how girls are sometimes seen (or not seen!) but her hopeful message and the joyful art make for an inspiring story.

CHINESE/ASIAN INTEREST: Dumplings’ folklore, cultural ties and auspicious red cover make it a great pick for Chinese New Year tables and readers looking for Asian representation.

SEEK AND FIND: The narrator is hiding somewhere in almost every spread—can you find her?

CHARMING ART: Cindy’s wonderfully expressive art is filled with characters and details kids will love to pore over and has a fresh feel that is also nostalgic and classic. Think Madeline meets Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom!

PRESCHOOL PICK: Simple but poignant text and adorable, accessible illustrations will make Dumplings a young reader favorite.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Helpful information at the back of the book provides historical and cultural context for children.

FAN FAMILY CONNECTIONS: Larissa’s brothers include the acclaimed picture book creators the Fan Brothers, but now it’s her turn to shine!

LARISSA FAN is an experimental filmmaker and artist whose cinematic work has been screened at national and international festivals and venues, including the Anthology Film Archives, Images Festival, and Kassel Documentary Film & Video Festival. She currently works in social media marketing at the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre. She received her bachelor’s degree from the Ontario College of Art & Design and her MFA in Film Production from York University. Larissa is based in Toronto.

Author Residence: Toronto, Canada

CINDY WUME is an illustrator and picture book maker now based in Taipei. She completed an MA Children's Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art at 2016. Her debut picture book The Best Sound in the World was published in 2018, and her work has been exhibited at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, the Taoyuan Illustration Exhibition and the London Transport Museum's Sound of City art exhibition.

Illustrator Residence: Taipei, Taiwan

Illustrator Hometown: Tainan, Taiwan

One of FOLD Kids Book of the Month Picks (January Picture Book)
One of CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 — Starred Pick

“Stepping out of the shadows: a gentle, persuasive #ownvoices take on a hitherto-untold perspective.” —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

“A sincere and beautiful story for all ages, and one that can gently introduce a serious discussion topic of rank and gender for older readers.” —STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal

“Infused not with grievance but with redemptive joy, this is a book to cheer the heart of any child who’s ever felt overshadowed by a dazzling sibling — or by 10 of them.” —Wall Street Journal

“Fan has created a heroine who is quiet and observant, seemingly willing to conform, but all the time building up her own strength and conviction… Do not miss this book!” —Imaginary Elevators

“This book beautifully uses the frame of a traditional tale to give little sister her voice back.” —the Globe and Mail

“The book’s final image of the grown-up daughter sitting with her own child, also a daughter, evokes a positive representation of female lineage and empowerment.” —CM Magazine

“In cultures that prized sons, [Fan] wonders, ’who is left out of the stories we tell and why?’” —World