Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias, illustrated by Tracy Subisak

 Kylie is used to connecting with her Amah over the computer; Amah speaks slowly and carefully to bridge the language gap, and shows her granddaughter her snacks, songs, and stories. But now Kylie is traveling across the ocean to visit Amah in Taipei and it's not the same. Things are different, Kylie has trouble understanding Amah, and she feels nervous and shy.

Kylie hangs back, daunted by the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and tastes, unsure about her Amah's enthusiasm, and feeling shy around the many strange people she's introduced to. However the patience and kindness of Amah and extended family gradually make her feel more at home and by the end of the visit she's fully enjoying the city of Taipei and her family there - so much so that she doesn't want to return home to San Francisco. However, when she does she stays in touch with Amah on the computer, this time practicing Mandarin and connecting on her own as well as listening and when it's Amah who visits she runs ahead, eager to introduce her to her own beautiful city.

Lovely watercolors splash across the pages, showing the exuberance and life of Taipei and Kylie's growing connection to her Amah and the city she loves. Notes from the author and illustrator, both of whom, like Kylie, had to adjust to rare visits to extended family in Taiwan, talk about their own experiences that shaped this story. The author also talks about the unique structure of the book, which repeats the same lines but in slightly different contexts and with different punctuation that follows Kylie's changing feelings. There is also a note from the illustrator and details on the significance of the places, food, and other sights of Taipei. 

Verdict: This is a little lengthy and complex for storytime, but it would make a wonderful read-aloud to a classroom or the basis of an exploration of different cultures and experiences with extended families. A simple read-aloud of the basic storyline would work well with preschoolers, especially if paired with a discussion of trying new things. A strong purchase for most libraries.

ISBN: 9781547607211; Published January 2022 by Bloomsbury; Review copy provided by the publisher