Grandmother from the East, Grandmother from the West (Jacinta Liu, illus Freda Chiu, Lothian)

Jacinta Liu’s debut picture book is a comforting story about a young girl reflecting on the individual personalities, traits and experiences of her two grandmothers while looking at photos of them before bed. Drawing from her own experience as a Chinese Australian, Liu offers a personal and heartfelt perspective on family and heritage. The layered, painterly illustrations by Freda Chiu (Good Hair, Last-Place Lin) flood this simple narrative with warmth and texture. I particularly enjoyed how each grandmother is given her own distinct colour palette, with these hues blending in the scenes featuring the young protagonist. Ideal for ages 4+, Grandmother from the East, Grandmother from the West can be read independently, although early readers may need assistance with trickier words. Parents and carers may also find the story a valuable conversation starter, offering opportunities to affirm a child’s sense of family and identity. Beyond celebrating cultural differences, the book also encourages children to reflect on their own family histories and relationships, fostering connection and building self-esteem. Readers who enjoyed Randa Abdel-Fattah and Maxine Beneba Clarke’s 11 Words for Love or X Fang’s Dim Sum Palace will find this picture book equally tender and big-hearted.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jasmine Pirovic is a culture writer from Western Sydney based in London. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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