Bao’s Doll
Bo Lu’s picture book Bao’s Doll is a moving story of empathy, forgiveness, and connection about an immigrant mother and her daughter who discover they have more in common than they ever knew.Whenever Mama says, “when I was a little girl in Taiwan, we had nothing,” Bao stops listening. Mama does not understand Bao, and Bao certainly does not understand Mama. So when Bao desperately wants a doll—specifically, the beautiful, blonde All-American Artist Amanda doll that everyone else has—Bao takes matters into her own hands and steals Amanda from the store. After getting caught, Bao’s chest feels heavy like a giant rock. But gradually, the awkward silence between Bao and Mama shifts to honesty, and eventually, a deeper understanding of what binds them.
Inspired by the childhood of debut talent Bo Lu, this poignant picture book brings emotional layers to the story of a parent and child learning to connect with their heritage and each other.
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Mrs Dalloways Books Are Magic
Published by Abrams Books, June 18th, 2024
An immigrant story that heals wounds present and past.
—Kirkus Review
...will speak to all children who have ever felt as if their caretakers don’t understand.
—School Library Journal
Lu skillfully juxtaposes simple but poetic language with expressive digital illustrations...Her judicious use of hue and composition...creates a clear visual of the characters’ internal emotional landscapes and the evolution of their relative distance and intimacy.
—The Horn Book
[A] deep emotionality to a resonant debut that affirms family as well as cultural heritage.
—Publishers weekly
A heart-touching book about intergenerational misunderstanding with a sweetness that can only be appreciated by a slight touch of bitterness. A beautiful book!
—Grace Lin, Newbery Honor author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
A delicate, emotionally resonant story brought to life with stunning artwork.
—Zeno Sworder, author-illustrator of My Strange Shrinking Parents
Bao's Doll is a stunning and heartfelt picture book about repair and love. A vibrant picture book about how to build bridges and create an even more perfect doll for Bao. I love this book!
—Catia Chien, illustrator of The Longest Letsgoboy