Mama and Papa Have a Store
Written by Amelia Lau Carling
Published by Lee & Low Books
From the clip, clop of the milkman’s mule in the early morning to the clacking of her father’s abacus at night, a young girl brings us into her home, which is also her parents’ store. Located in Guatemala City, the store is filled with the colorful textures of cloth, threads, buttons, and things from her parents’ homeland in China. As people come and go throughout the day, the girl hears several languages Spanish, Chinese, and Mayan. The Mayans buy thread for weaving in colors such as parrot green and mango yellow. The girl’s parents talk about their hometown in China, from which they emigrated, fleeing a war, years ago. The girl and her brothers and sisters make up games to play on the rooftop terrace, on the sidewalk, and in the store. After supper the girl dances to celebrate her day. Lyrical writing and delightful artwork will captivate both children and adults in this story drawn from the author/illustrator’s childhood memories.

Primary ISBN:
Available As: Paperback
Picture Book, Age 06 or older
Community Represented: Chinese/Chinese American, Guatemalan/Guatemalan American
Themes: Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Multiracial Identity, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: Guatemala
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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