“…illustrations depict beautiful landscapes and settings illustrated with intricate details and glowing warmth…A thoughtful take on Chinese American History that goes beyond the usual fare.”

-KIRKUS

“…Gong’s dialogue-heavy prose is lyrical and deeply sympathetic (about the mountain: “Here, he said, we are not foreigners. Here we are men, a small part of nature’s greatness”). Intricate, warmly washed interiors and expansive landscapes by Tateishi enchant, conveying viewpoints from a variety of angles that effectively highlight Ming’s varying emotions. A historical holiday story that poignantly explores identity and belonging from a less-seen perspective.”

「著者であるゴング氏は詩的かつ思いやりのある表現を多く用いています。例えばミンの父は彼女を慰める為にこう言いました。「私達はよそ者ではなく、偉大な自然の一部なのだよ。」これらの表現はミンが直面している問題に対して私達に共感を誘います。また挿絵に関してはミンの様々な感情を効果的に強調する為に家の緻密な内装や広大な山々を様々な角度から描いています。この本は自己のアイデンティティ―や帰属意識を違う見方から探し求めるクリスマスストーリーです。」

— PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY パブリッシャーズウィークリー

"Illustrations have lovely warmth, imparting a mythical quality to the tale. Ming's story shows the search for one's place in the world begins young, and that, while there's pain in navigating two conflicting cultures, there's a way to heal.”

イラストに愛らしい暖かさがあり、まるで神話のような雰囲気をこの本に与えています。ミンの物語は自分の居場所を探す旅が若いうちに始まり、二つの異なる文化の板挟みにあいながらも癒される方法があることを読者に示しています。

— BOOKLIST ブックリスト

Let’s talk about the illustrations. The illustrator does an amazing job of portraying Ming’s story and the 1930s. I like that the inside front cover reflects the town of Merced City, California, where this story is set. There are even key landmarks of what the town looked like in those days.  The back inside cover shows the route that Ming and her father take to visit the family friends in Mariposa Grove.  Each picture that graces the pages of the story is full of life and color. There is one page that depicts intricate carvings in the cabin at Mariposa Grove.

This is a wonderful story to educate young minds about other cultures and history.  We give this book 5 paws up.

-STOREYBOOK REVIEWS

“The book’s beautiful illustrations feature snowy Northern California landscapes and warm indoor scenes, in which Ming’s wise father shows her how to honor her heritage while embracing new customs. It’s a heartwarming holiday story based on real events.”

この本の挿絵はノースカリフォルニアの雪景色と、ミンの父親が出身国の文化を尊重しながら新しい文化を受け入れる方法をミンに教えた家庭の様子を主に描いています。これは実話に基づいた心温まるクリスマスストーリーです。

— FOREWORD REVIEWS

“What a lovely book! I think most readers will immediately be drawn in by the beautiful illustrations--they're just perfect and have this almost magical quality to them.”

とても愛らしい本でした。多くの読者が美しいイラストに心惹かれることでしょう。この本の挿絵は完璧で魔法のようなクオリティーを持っています。

-ADRIENNE ON GOODREADS

“The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and make this feel like the whimsical Christmas tale it is supposed to be. The colours are very rich, which really stood out to me as a reader.”

豊かな色彩が際立つもとてもゴージャスなイラストでした。読みながらまるで暖かくも風変りなクリスマスストーリーを読んでいるような気持ちになりました。

— BRIAR REVIEWS