Maggie's Chopsticks

I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations are heartwarming and beautiful. The story, while focusing specifically on a little girl learning how to use chopsticks, will resonate with a broader audience of young readers as every child knows what it feels like to be the only one in a room who has yet to learn a difficult task.

I especially appreciated the authentic Asian culture represented in the book, from the illustrations, to the names of the food dishes, to the altar for Maggie's ancestors. I think young readers are always fascinated by unfamiliar cultures, and this story should be a hit with them.

Finally, I was pleased that while everyone from Maggie's grandmother to her brother was telling her she wasn't holding her chopsticks right (and to look at their example instead, even though each example was slightly different from the one before), Maggie's father sees her discouragement and tells her that everyone is unique and there is no one right way to hold chopsticks. This gives Maggie the confidence to find her own way to use her chopsticks, and the larger message for young readers is a valuable one.