  | Broken Author: Fang, X. | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her Ama's favorite cup, she's convinced it's the end of the world. What if Ama is angry? What if she yells? What if she kicks Mei Mei out of her house for good? But when Mimi, the innocent cat who witnesses her crime, ends up being blamed, the guilt is too much! Mimi's accusing eyes follow Mei Mei.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (08/01/25)
School Library Journal (+) (10/01/25)
Booklist (00/10/25)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/09/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 07/21/2025 "Let me tell you the story of the day I broke Ama’s cup" begins the narrator of this compassionate work from Fang (We Are Definitely Human). Young Mei Mei, portrayed with pink skin and dark hair, recalls being bored at Ama’s house and bumping into a side table while seeking to scare Mimi the cat-an act that launches the mug into the air and then "down, down, down, until CRASH!" At first certain of Ama’s anger (an illustration imagines the child literally being booted from the house), Mei Mei seems to be off the hook when Ama blames Mimi for the break. But the cat’s relentless, implacable stare, captured in digitally colored pencil drawings, haunts Mei Mei so much that the child retreats until the truth forces its way out, depicted in a cutaway schematic. Luckily, Ama, who believes that "what’s broken can also be fixed" and that "every repair tells a story," works restorative magic on both grandchild and cup, soothing Mei Mei’s tears and patching together the object "until it had its own story to tell." Peace settles over the living room with the understanding that objects and trust alike become more precious for having been lovingly mended. Ages 3-7. Agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary. (Oct.) - Copyright 2025
School Library Journal - 10/01/2025 PreS-Gr 2—This flawless picture book teaches young readers that with honesty, love, and a little glue, there is no mistake too big to fix. Fang (Dim Sum Palace, We Are Definitely Human) is back with a heartwarming tale of a universal childhood (and adulthood) experience: breaking something important. Playful young protagonist Mei Mei accidentally knocks over Ama's favorite mug, and this is the story of the hilarious path she takes to make things right. The first-person narration will help listeners build empathy and connection for Mei Mei. The illustrations vividly and comically tell the story on their own, conveying the wide range of emotions Mei Mei experiences throughout her ordeal. Simple sentences and ample white space will also help beginning readers access this text. VERDICT This is a perfect fit for SEL lessons about owning up to one's mistakes and asking for forgiveness. A must-buy and ideal read-aloud for all libraries.—Maria Bohan - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
