Auntie Yang's Great Soybean Picnic (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Lo, G., & Lo, B. (2012). Auntie Yang's great soybean picnic. New York: Lee & Low Books.Picture BookThis book is based on the real life experiences of two young Chinese American girls and their family. It tells the story of Jinyi and Pei going with their parents to visit Auntie Yang, who lives just outside of Chicago. While driving through rural Illinois, Auntie Yang discovers there are soybeans growing. Soybeans (or mao dou in Mandarin) were a food staple when Auntie Yang was growing up in China, but she had not been able to find them in America, as they were being grown only for animal feed at that time. Auntie Yang asks the farmer if she can pick some soybeans, and she takes them home and cooks them for her family - and the tradition of the Great Soybean Picnic is born. Each year, Auntie Yang’s family and friends gather to eat traditional Chinese food, including soybeans - and each year the crowd grows larger. The author’s notes in the back of the book tell us that the tradition went on for over 40 years and became an important event for the Chinese American families in the Chicago area. This book is a great introduction to Chinese American food and traditions - the food is described lovingly by the author. “There were steaming platters of Chinese meatballs with cabbage and bean threads, and spicy tofu with ground pork and salted black beans. Pei and I squealed when we saw the whole head of the steamed fish with its cloudy eye staring straight up from the plate.” It also introduces the idea of immigration and being reunited with family when Auntie Yang’s other siblings finally make their first trip from China to America. The back of the book includes a glossary and translations for the Mandarin phrases and words that are peppered throughout the book. It also has photographs of Auntie Yang and the real soybean picnics. There is also a bit of history about the soybean itself, including ways it is used (in both food and non-food items) today. Because soybeans are grown in this area, this book would be a great chance for children to see how they are used - both here and around the world. The story of this particular family’s love for soybeans adds a personal touch to the plant that most of us drive past and never think about. Question: I would ask kids if they have ever seen or eaten soybeans - and have examples that they can see, feel and taste. While most of the soybeans grown in this area are not meant for human consumption, examples could certainly be found at local grocery stores or gardens that could be eaten by kids. Ask them if they could throw a picnic where one food was celebrated, like the soybeans in this story, what would that food be? This wonderful story introduces the reader to one aspect of life for Chinese-American sisters. Jinyi and Pei are excited to visit Auntie Yang and her family. The family travels from Indiana to Chicago to visit several times a year. During one visit they discover that a local farmer is growing soybeans and they create a great feast. This is the beginning of the tradition of the Soybean Picnic near Chicago. Each year more Chinese-American families are invited to the picnic and it grows and grows into an annual tradition.This story was inspired by true events and gives the reader some insight into Chinese traditions, foods, and language. The author's and illustrator's note at the back of the book explains the history of Auntie Yang and the Soybean Picnic. A glossary is also provided to explain unfamiliar English and Chinese words used in the story.The illustrations in this story are mostly drawn within a circle so that they resemble a painted dinner plate. The pictures on each page add to the story and show the reader the events described by the text.
What do You think about Auntie Yang's Great Soybean Picnic (2012)?
A fascinating slice of Midwestern immigrant Americana.
—pappip
