Paper Son: The inspiring story of Tyrus Wong by Julie Leung

Bibliography 

Leung, J., & Sasaki, C. (2019). Paper son: The inspiring story of Tyrus Wong, immigrant and artist. Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 1524771872

Plot Summary

Tyrus Wong, immigrant and artist, immigrated from China with his father as a young child under a fake name to gain entry into the United States. Wong goes on to become an artist and illustrator working for companies like Disney and influencing later generations of American animators. This picture book depicts his life. 

Critical Analysis

During his lifetime, America was a place that was not open to Chinese immigration. In fact, the book references the 1919 law that existed at the time which stated that “Chinese immigrants were not allowed in the United States unless they could prove they were citizens of high status”. According to the book, many Chinese people wanted to immigrate to “Gum Saan” which meant “Gold Mountain” because of the opportunities that were available there. 

The illustrations are beautiful, colorful and draw on inspiration from the Tyrus Wong according to the illustrators note. Simple, colorful landscapes with more detailed people mirror some of Tyrus Wong’s novel work in Bambi. They depict Chinese values of family, working hard, and the scary process of immigration. For example, one illustration shows a child-age Wong as he is being interviewed by three large, stern-faced men. The illustrations show the joy that Wong found in learning and drawing, all while his father sipped tea and supported him. 

The author’s note at the end provides important biographical information that places the story in context. For example, it explains that the story is set during the Chinese Exclusion Act which prevented people from the ethnic group entering the United States.

Review Excerpts and Awards

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner, 2021

From Kirkus Reviews: “The brief narrative moves swiftly, lingering on just two key moments: Wong’s immigration and the making of Bambi. The author’s note provides more information about the Chinese Exclusion Act, the proliferation of paper sons and daughters, and additional details about and photos of Wong. Unfortunately, neither text nor backmatter share contextual information about the reasons for immigration, benefits and sacrifices of immigration, or the racial prejudice Wong faced both personally and professionally.”

From School Library Journal: “The story concentrates on Lee's feelings about traveling alone to America, staying on Angel Island, and navigating the questioning. Failure would mean deportation, giving up the chance to help his grandparents, and losing the money his family paid. Large-scale illustrations, full-page and two-page bleeds, realistically portray the time and place and will help young readers with context.”

Connections

Have students compare Tyrus Wong’s illustrations with those of Chris Sasaki. What influences from Wong’s can be seens in Sasaki’s?

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say

Bibliography 

Say, A. (2013). Grandfather's journey. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 0395570352

Plot Summary

Allen Say’s grandfather immigrated to America from Japan. He fell in love with California, and did not miss Japan until later in life. After returning to his once loved homeland, he thinks about California again.

 

Critical Analysis

The first two pages show two full page illustrations depicting Allen Say’s grandfather before and after immigrating to the United States from Japan. In one illustration he is wearing Kimono and in the other a peacoat. These large illustrations show an example of assimilation by Japanese immigrants coming to the United States. The book chronicles his experiences and lists some of the people he encountered in the United States, “he shook hands with black men and white men, with yellow men and red men.” It shows his growing love for the country, especially California. At one point after marrying and having his daughter in the United States, his grandfather decides to go back to Japan and see “the mountains and rivers of his childhood”. 

There is brief mention of the war that knowledgeable readers might infer to be World War II and leads to the grandfather being unable to return to California. Later in life, Allen Say decides to see the land that his grandfather loved so much, California. The book ends with this message about the struggles of making a home of two nations, “The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.”

Illustrations depict the various cultures and time periods described in the story. They take up most of the pages with the minimal words in the story underneath. They depict Japanese characters with distinct facial features such as almond shaped eyes in both Japanese Kimonos and western dress depending on where they called home at the time.

 

Review Excerpts and Awards

Caldecott Winner, 1994

From Kirkus Review: “In lucid, graceful language, [Allen Say] chronicles these passages, reflecting his love of both countries—plus the expatriate's ever-present longing for home—in both simple text and exquisitely composed watercolors: scenes of his grandfather discovering his new country and returning with new appreciation to the old, and pensive portraits recalling family photos, including two evoking the war and its aftermath. Lovely, quiet—with a tenderness and warmth new to this fine illustrator's work.”

Connections

Have students look at only the pictures to start. Ask what they notice about the characters. What do they believe is happening in the story. Read the words together next. What have they learned after reading the words?

Have students make a map of grandfather’s journey.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Bibliography 

Lin, G. (2020). Where the mountain meets the Moon. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, a Cengage Company. ISBN 0316038636

Plot Summary

Minli and her family work hard every day in the rice fields to make ends meet. Each night, Minli’s father tells her enchanting stories of how things came to be. To her mother’s displeasure, Minli is fascinated with these stories, and believes them to be true. She sets out to change the family’s fortune by going to find where the mountain meets the moon. She meets characters along the way like a dragon who cannot fly, and faces obstacles like greedy monkeys. Will Minli safely find her way home and help her family? 

Critical Analysis

Set in a village by the Jade river, the book's main characters are poor farmers who struggle to put food on the table despite how hard they work. They include “Ma” and “Ba” and their daughter, Minli. The characters are described as having distinct physical features such as Minli’s “black hair with pink cheeks”. Animals throughout the story talk like Minili’s goldfish and the dragon who can’t fly. The story’s lessons reflect important cultural values such as hospitality, obedience, honor, and fate. For example, Minli struggles with her decision to leave her family for her journey knowing that it would likely be against their wishes. She signs her note “you obedient daughter” to affirm that despite her leaving, she is doing it for the family and is not intending to be disobedient. Another important lesson in the book that is addressed is greed. At one point, Minli and her dragon companion are trying to get past monkeys that guard peach trees. Minli devises a trap with rice. When the monkeys put their hands in to get the rice, they can’t pull them back out with rice in their hands. Instead of dropping the rice, the greedy monkeys stay stuck in the trap. 

Also included in the book are various illustrations. They are colorful images that stick to royal, jewel tones. They depict traditionally dressed people and beautiful landscapes. Images of importance are created through the words as well. For example, the dragon is described as “brilliant red, the color of the lucky lantern, with emerald-green whiskers, horns, and a dull stone-colored ball like the moon on his head”. 

This book represents a more historical, traditional perspective on Chinese people and includes characters from Chinese folk tales, so it would be good to balance out this book with other more current representations of people. However, the stories show the values of the culture that still remain important today. 

Review Excerpts and Awards

Newberry Honor, 2010

From Kirkus Reviews: “Lin deftly incorporates elements from Chinese folk- and fairy tales to create stories within the main story and provide context for Minli’s quest. With her “lively and impulsive spirit,” Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship and faith during her amazing journey. Richly hued illustrations reinforce the Chinese folk theme.”

From School Library Journal: “Interwoven throughout Minli's travels are tales whose characters and themes have been drawn from Chinese folklore. These stories help guide the journey and transform events in very believable ways.”

Connections

Have students research one of the Chinese folklore characters from the book. 

Each of the shorter stories within the book are great for teaching theme