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A review by mat_tobin
The Dinner That Cooked Itself by J. C. Hsyu
4.0
The Dinner that Cooked Itself is a retelling of a folk tale from China sweetly told by Hsyu and gently, mistily captured by Pak. It tells the story of Tuan, an orphaned child who grows up hard-working and kind. In time, his adoptive parents explain that he must marry and call upon the talents of a matchmaker to seek out the perfect match: one who will complement the Year animal to which he was born to. However, the only match that fits is a young woman who remains well above his lowly station. Will Tuan's luck change if he holds true to his kindly nature?
With the theme of kindness and hard-work central to the story and the importance of food and trusting in the knowledge of the fey, Hsyu's retelling touches on fairy tale themes and lore that are prevalent throughout the world. Yet with the nods to Chinese food and culture, the story very much remains in touch with it homeland and it much richer for it.
Although this first picturebook that I had read from Hsyu (and this is her debut), I have long been familiar with the beautiful, fey-like work of Pak ([b:The Fog|31498499|The Fog|Kyo Maclear|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475880035l/31498499._SX50_.jpg|52188663] and [b:Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?|18222726|Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?|Rita Gray|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1374654951l/18222726._SX50_.jpg|25656391] are good examples). In this book, his muted colours and mixed-media compositions lend a sense of an older, rustic art that I really liked. The tale is well told and I particularly enjoyed the final spread which guides the reader through some key Chinese calligraphy inviting the reader to have a go themselves.
With the theme of kindness and hard-work central to the story and the importance of food and trusting in the knowledge of the fey, Hsyu's retelling touches on fairy tale themes and lore that are prevalent throughout the world. Yet with the nods to Chinese food and culture, the story very much remains in touch with it homeland and it much richer for it.
Although this first picturebook that I had read from Hsyu (and this is her debut), I have long been familiar with the beautiful, fey-like work of Pak ([b:The Fog|31498499|The Fog|Kyo Maclear|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475880035l/31498499._SX50_.jpg|52188663] and [b:Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?|18222726|Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?|Rita Gray|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1374654951l/18222726._SX50_.jpg|25656391] are good examples). In this book, his muted colours and mixed-media compositions lend a sense of an older, rustic art that I really liked. The tale is well told and I particularly enjoyed the final spread which guides the reader through some key Chinese calligraphy inviting the reader to have a go themselves.