This tender and warm picture book by debut author and illustrator Yan Gu is a touching ode to inheriting generational traditions-even picky eating.
Mimi's grandmother Waipo loves liangcha tea, but the muddy looking concoction tastes too bitter for Mimi! She's determined to never sip it again!
But when Waipo discovers Mimi's distaste, she prepares a new batch of liangcha-and this time she serves it with a special ingredient passed down from her own grandmother. Will Mimi's tastebuds learn to like her grandmother's special drink?
With beautiful illustrations that invite readers in, Bitter Tea and Rock Candy is the ultimate story about sharing traditions with love and patience. Perfect for brewing that precious bond between child and grandparent! Yan Gu is an author and illustrator from Shanghai, China. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design. Nature and fairytale themes are her most favorite to create. When she's not making art, Yan can be found on her terrace, taking care of her plants and spending time with her dog, Doudou.
"Mimi doesn't like Waipo's favorite tea. How long can she avoid drinking it without hurting her grandmother's feelings? Katharine Chin delivers the answer in a heartfelt performance. Waipo repeatedly offers liangcha to Mimi, who thinks it's gross and yucky. Chin captures the humor in Mimi's efforts to get rid of the tea, as well as the tension when Waipo and Mimi clash over the taste of the healthy Chinese beverage. The descriptions of Waipo making liangcha are clear and made all the more immersive with the perfectly choreographed sound effects. When Waipo offers a new version of liangcha to Mimi, she accepts it with an open heart. Chin's emotionally resonant narration makes this story, steeped in Chinese culture, all the sweeter. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine"
