Tofu Takes Time

by Helen H. Wu, Julie Jarema (Illustrator)

Overview

All good things—and foods—take time, as Lin learns in this beautifully illustrated story about patience, family, and a good home-cooked meal.

CLICK CLACK WHIRRRR . . . Lin and her grandma, NaiNai, are making tofu from scratch! When NaiNai goes through each step, from blending soybeans with water to molding curd into shape, Lin gradually becomes impatient. But she soon discovers that making tofu not only takes time, but also takes the whole universe! It takes the seed from soil and sunshine, the cloth from thread and fiber, weight and space, books of words and pictures. And most of all, it takes spending lovely time with her beloved grandmother.

In this charming tale by Helen H. Wu, readers will marvel at how patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family. Perfect for fans of Fry Bread, Drawn Together and Thank You, Omu.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506480350
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	416,127
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD490L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Helen H. Wu is a children's book author, illustrator, translator, and publisher. Helen is the author of Tofu Takes Time and Long Goes to Dragon School. Fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures, Helen loves to share stories that empower children to understand the world and our connections. Helen was born and raised in Hefei, China, and now lives in Southern California with her family.

Julie Jarema is an illustrator, writer, and bookseller. She graduated from Bard College with a degree in Written Arts. When she's not making up stories, you can find her going on backyard adventures, sending snail mail, or practicing her circus skills.

Editorial Reviews

"Sentimental and quaint...A culinary lesson in patience." —Kirkus Reviews

This story is appealing on several levels, as a multigenerational tale about a family that shares traditions, experiences and meals, as a lesson in patience, and as an introduction to a versatile and sustainable food. —School Library Connection

Young readers will marvel at how patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family.... A fun and original read from cover to cover. —Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

★ 05/01/2022

PreS-Gr 1—In this child-friendly, intergenerational story, Lin and NaiNai carefully execute each step necessary for making tofu. "Tofu takes time" is the refrain, but in addition to teaching patience, the grandmother imparts a wealth of knowledge about the source of each ingredient in the wider world. Water, sunlight, metal, fabric and wood all play significant roles in the production of a delicious essential food. Wu incorporates sound words throughout such as "Click, Click, Whirrrr," "Bubble, Bobble, Popple," and "Fizzle, Sizzle, Hiss." These are a delight to the ear and make this book one that promises successful read-alouds. The playful tone works in beautiful partnership with Jarema's joyful illustrations as granddaughter and grandmother work together. Back matter provides information on the history of tofu and explains its recent popularity. While the author's personal tofu experience relates to her own Chinese traditions, she also references tofu practices from other Asian countries. VERDICT A standout story about a healthy food that some readers will embrace as a reflection of their own culture or diet and others will be inspired to try making.—Gloria Koster

School Library Journal

2022-02-09
A young girl helps her grandma cook dinner.

“Making tofu takes time,” NaiNai tells her curious granddaughter before the two proceed to make bean curd from scratch. Illustrations of their kitchen work—rinsing, blending, straining, heating, and pressing soybeans—alternate with images of the unnamed girl transported to fanciful landscapes comprised of giant crockery and soybean plants of Brobdingnagian proportions. Young readers will relate to the child’s eager anticipation: “Is it done? Is it done? Is it done?” The feeling of time passing too slowly may be relatable to anyone hankering for a particular viand. NaiNai’s reminder that “good things take time” extols the virtue of patience and encourages delayed gratification. While waiting, the first-person child narrator enjoys books and stories and bonding time with her grandmother. Finally, after Mama and Papa come home from work, the family shares a delicious meal featuring fresh tofu. This picture book is sentimental and quaint despite its prosaic narrative and lackluster artwork. The backmatter promotes bean curd as a sustainable, plant-based protein source; it also makes the oversimplified and questionable assertion that people outside of Asia were “introduced to tofu in the 1970s.” The author’s note summarizes various tofu dishes from different cultures, from tofu tacos to Indian butter tofu. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A culinary lesson in patience. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews