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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Published by Abrams Books | Release on June 18th, 2024
An immigrant story that heals wounds present and past.
A girl and her mother bridge a seemingly insurmountable gap.
—Kirkus Review
...illustrations add deep emotionality to a resonant debut that affirms family as well as cultural heritage.
—Publishers weekly
Lu sets up an intergenerational conflict familiar to many immigrant families.
—The Horn Book
A heart-touching, lovely book about intergenerational misunderstanding. A story with a sweetness that can only be appreciated by that 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