Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Welcome to a new-baby book for new readers.Yoo's controlled text in this Confetti Kids entry is appropriately divided into short chapters that will support emergent readers' success. It also celebrates cultural specificity by centering Mei's character and her Chinese-American family's party to celebrate that her baby brother, Ming, is 100 days old. A diverse group of friends, whom readers may recognize from earlier titles, attends the party: Henry, Lily, Pablo, and Padma, who, between naming conventions and Ng-Benitez's appealing watercolor and digital illustrations, are cued as white, black, Latinx, and South Asian, respectively. The tension in the story stems from Mei's struggle to determine the titular "perfect gift" for the baby. Illustrations provide context for how her friends try to help, such as when Padma points to a little boy with a truck and says "Boys like trucks," to suggest a gift for Ming. Henry, playing a drum on the front stoop, contradicts her: "I don't like trucks…I like to play music," and suggests that Mei should buy a drum. Grandma, whose character integrates information about traditions for the 100-days party, advises Mei that "The perfect gift comes from the heart," and this inspires Mei to make a special book for her little brother.A perfect package of early-reader accessibility, culturally-conscious story, and inclusivity. (Early reader. 5-8)

ALA Booklist (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

In Chinese culture, some families celebrate a baby's first 100 days. Mei is excited about the upcoming celebration for her brother Ming, but as the party is planned, and invitations are given out, worries creep in. What special present can Mei give to Ming? She asks her friends Henry, Lily, Pedro, and Padma for suggestions, but even a trip to the toy store doesn't spark any ideas. On the day of the party, Mei is sad until her grandmother reminds her that the best gifts come from the heart. That sparks Mei to draw pictures and put them in a book for her brother. This simple yet heartfelt story makes for a good beginning reader (part of the Dive into Reading! series); it's also a natural read-aloud. The colorful cartoon-style pictures focus on the family, but there is a multicultural supporting cast. A note explains the celebration and provides a recipe for the traditional red eggs that are served.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Garden finds Lily and friends helping out at the public garden. In Gift, Mei doesn't know what to get her baby brother for his traditional one-hundred days celebration. The small conflicts and friendly city setting, shown in cheery watercolor and digital illustrations, support the easy-reader series' mission to "inspire young readers to imagine a diverse world...in which they can see themselves as the heroes of their own stories."

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Welcome to a new-baby book for new readers.Yoo's controlled text in this Confetti Kids entry is appropriately divided into short chapters that will support emergent readers' success. It also celebrates cultural specificity by centering Mei's character and her Chinese-American family's party to celebrate that her baby brother, Ming, is 100 days old. A diverse group of friends, whom readers may recognize from earlier titles, attends the party: Henry, Lily, Pablo, and Padma, who, between naming conventions and Ng-Benitez's appealing watercolor and digital illustrations, are cued as white, black, Latinx, and South Asian, respectively. The tension in the story stems from Mei's struggle to determine the titular "perfect gift" for the baby. Illustrations provide context for how her friends try to help, such as when Padma points to a little boy with a truck and says "Boys like trucks," to suggest a gift for Ming. Henry, playing a drum on the front stoop, contradicts her: "I don't like trucks…I like to play music," and suggests that Mei should buy a drum. Grandma, whose character integrates information about traditions for the 100-days party, advises Mei that "The perfect gift comes from the heart," and this inspires Mei to make a special book for her little brother.A perfect package of early-reader accessibility, culturally-conscious story, and inclusivity. (Early reader. 5-8)