Review
Title: Ming’s Christmas Wishes
Author: Susan Gong
Illustrator: Masahiro Tateishi
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Books
Genre: Kids Picture book, Christmas
Year: 2020
Pages: 48
Binding: Hardbound
ISBN: 978-1-62972-779-0
Price: 18.99
Reviewed by Heather Harris Bergevin for the Association of Mormon Letters
In this beautifully illustrated and written children’s book, Ming, a young Chinese girl, has a terrible and pressing problem:
Christmas is coming.
It’s 1930, in the lovely town of Merced, California. Her family is among many Chinese individuals who have immigrated to, or been born, as Ming was, in California in the times leading up to the thirties, and racism is rampant, causing Ming to be othered at school and to feel left out. She’s left out at school – her teacher says because she’s “headstrong” she can’t be in the Christmas Choir, but Ming knows it’s because she’s not actually celebrating Christmas. And, her family doesn’t have a Christmas tree. Ming wants one. Desperately.
Initially, upon hearing the premise of this book, I was worried that this was going to be one of the books I would have grown up with, a “How Ming learned the Meaning of Christmas” book, but, thankfully, nothing of the sort is happening. Both the writing and illustrations are beautifully done and are respectful of Ming’s story and culture. Touches of traditional Chinese culture and symbolism, as seen in her uncle’s cabin, are done lovingly and are honoring the cultural craftsmanship.
So, Ming is not about to have a “Christmas miracle.” This makes the book so much more multilayered and rich than otherwise could be possible. She does eventually get a tree, but not in the way she had thought would happen. On the way, she learns respect for her ancestry, about her father’s journey (including why he cut his black braid, years before), respect for friends and family, and, of course, a greater love for herself.
None of this is done in a saccharine way. In fact, so much lovely hinting at history happens, it could spur older readers into beginning a history project about American history in the West. There are mentions of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, of building the transcontinental railroad, of revolution in China, and a mention of arranged marriage. Ming’s family lives above their laundry, and visits with the Gong family, who are elderly and live amongst the sequoias in the mountains. I love how this book weaves the interconnectedness of being part of the mountain with the binding together of families and remembrances of ancestors. In the scenes in the shack of the Gongs, there is a warm joy in discussing past lives– the ones we have lived, and those our ancestors have lived, become alive when we discuss them.
I would recommend this book to anyone. Specifically, I hope my library soon offers copies, and that teachers are given the chance to discuss differences in religions and cultures with a respectful nod to historical accuracy. The illustrations are bright and approachable, and the writing crisp and warm. There’s nothing included which would cause, say, my small niece (who is afraid of basically everything) to have problems, but there’s enough meaty information to intrigue older elementary readers. With such a beautiful cover, Ming’s Christmas Wishes, will make a lovely present for those looking for a gift for the holidays (all holidays), and those seeking to teach their children about how different cultures and religions are to be respected and enjoyed.
Happy reading!-HB