Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: cultures

Showing posts with label cultures. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Rockstar Book Tours presents... Pei's Pineapple Cakes by Crystal Z. Lee , Illustrated by Allie Su - REVIEW!

Hi gang!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. In case you've noticed, my activity on the site has been a little hit and miss this year, but I'm not out of the game. I'm simply trying not to over BOOK, and stress myself out trying to capture everything, and share everything at once. While I appreciate your visits here, definitely stop over to my Instagram feed to catch me on the daily! Anywho, let's get back to today's tasty bookish treat making its way here thanks to Rockstar Book Tours...

Pei's Pineapple Cakes

Crystal Z. Lee

Illustrated by

Allie Su

About the book...

While visiting her grandmother in central Taiwan, Pei finds herself in the middle of a mystery. The pineapple cakes from her grandmother's bakery have disappeared! Soon Pei is collecting clues as she embarks on a quest to find the missing pineapple cakes.

From traditional Taiwanese artisan craftsmanship to picturesque villages of central Taiwan, Pei discovers the beauty of her grandmother's hometown. This is a charming story of courage, adventure, and the love between grandchildren and grandparents.

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This wonderful, fully illustrated, and colorful tale, shares a day in the life of Pei as she spends time with her grandmother, and unravels a tasty secret. Her journey to solve the mystery takes her through the town and places us in the lives and culture of the Taiwanese people. We get glimpses into the tightly knit community, the beautiful countryside, the remarkable crafts and trades practiced... and just how tempting the missing pineapple 🍍 cakes truly were because the sneaky little culprit was all ready to strike again! It's a wonderful way for readers to dip their toes in another place that seems like another time, allowing the imagery and information to open the doors of curiosity for further exploration... just like Pei and her mom!

A great pick for wee readers and beyond! Side note... though not an option for me to read, I loved the inclusion of what I can only assume us the story text in the given language. It's beautiful to see, and provides just another spark for that cultural immersion.

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Special thanks to Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours for the heads up regarding this title, and much thanks to the author for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Thursday, May 2, 2024

AWARENESS TOUR: Mama's Love Language by Elisa Stad, Illustrated by Ry Menson - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

It's almost that time of May where we celebrate all the mom's out there for everything they do, say, and all the love they show in the smallest of ways, and today's AWARENESS TOUR with The Children's Book Review is right on target. It's all about that special love and how the form can vary, but the meaning is just as tender, just as special, just as meaningful. Ladies and gents, kiddos of all ages, let's get between the pages of today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

Mama’s Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice

Elisa Stad

Illustrated by

Ry Menson

9798988378518

Ginger Lotus Press

About the book...

Jade is a girl who lives in two worlds and, coming from a multicultural family, she’s on a quest to understand her identity and where she truly belongs.

She is trying to find her place in the world but feels different from the other kids at school. Back home, Jade’s parents have their unique approach to love and care. Sometimes Jade is embarrassed by Mama’s accent and she can’t understand why she is not just like any other mother she knows.

The real adventure unfolds when Jade starts rebelling against her mother’s traditional ways of showing love, especially through food. It’s a struggle that takes her on a path of discovery, as she learns about her family’s rich heritage and her mother’s challenging past in Vietnam and as an immigrant.

Jade then discovers that even though Mama doesn’t hug or say I love you, the healing aroma of ginger, green onions, and chicken broth does.

“Mama’s Love Language” is a heartwarming children’s book that addresses the universal theme of belonging and the beauty of cultural diversity. Through Jade’s story, children will learn that being different is not only okay but something to be celebrated, and that love can come in many shapes and forms.

Amazon

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Little Jade was a special girl. She had two parents that loved her. She had friends that cared about her. She had a teacher that loved teaching her entire class. Beyond the surface elements, she also had two cultures from which to draw her individuality from. Can that be hard to understand and accept at a young age? Absolutely...but the more we hear/see/feel the message that different is not wrong but perfect, the more we open ourselves to it both for us and the world. For Jade, it wasn't just about physical appearance, but also how she interacted with her parents. Cultural differences aren't just in the shade of our skin, or the shape of our eyes, but in how we relate to others, and that includes our loved ones. It was touching to see that area explored between Jade and her parents. When the hard truths behind some of her mother's opinions were shared, we not only understood her better for it, but felt that heaviness in our own hearts because we knew it shouldn't have been that way. No one should have to go through uncertainty as to where their next meal is coming from, nor have to grow up too fast in order for a family to survive. Hard times do not always create hard hearts, but it can make them cautious because they learned from those experiences, and want more for their own futures, and those they love.

This was a beautifully illustrated story sharing the love of a family with backgrounds that span the globe. It reminds us that we're all special in our own ways, and that which makes us different shouldn't be hidden, but celebrated. It's okay to want what others do, but don't let that desire eclipse the truth that is you because that's someone worthy of notice.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elisa Stad, for the majority of her career, was a brand and international business executive for luxury goods and consumer product companies. After experiencing working in over 40 countries, she acquired a passion for globalization and the sharing of cultures based on her experiences. Elisa is also focused on inspiring the youth through her efforts in healthcare inequities through Stad Center of Pain, Palliative, and Integrative Medicine and serves on college boards at USC, UCSF and Harvard.

Elisa grew up in a mixed-race household, as a daughter of a Vietnamese refugee mother and American father. She grew up in a multicultural home, searching for identity. She also moved homes often in her childhood including to Asia and within the US to Idaho and California.

She always wanted to share with other young children the beauty of humanity and how we can celebrate our unique gifts. You can find her enjoying ballet, visiting local Asian street markets, practicing yoga, and focusing on her spiritual practice. Elisa lives in Southern California with her husband, 3 children and a bernedoodle.

For more information, visit https://www.elisastad.com/.

INSTAGRAM

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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Mama’s Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice, signed by Elisa Stad, and a $50 Amazon gift card!

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This post is sponsored by Elisa Stad. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The Children’s Book Review