AMAH FARAWAY, by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Tracy Subisak, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Jan. 25, 2022, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-6)
A young girl travels across the world to visit her grandmother in Amah Faraway, by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Tracy Subisak.
Kylie is nervous about visiting her grandmother-her Amah-who lives SO FAR AWAY.
When she and Mama finally go to Taipei, Kylie is shy with Amah. Even though they have spent time together in video chats, those aren’t the same as real life. And in Taiwan, Kylie is at first uncomfortable with the less-familiar language, customs, culture, and food. However, after she is invited by Amah — Lái kàn kàn! Come see! — to play and splash in the hot springs (which aren’t that different from the pools at home), Kylie begins to see this place through her grandmother’s eyes and sees a new side of the things that used to scare her. Soon, Kylie is leading her Amah — Come see! Lái kàn kàn! — back through all her favorite parts of this place and having SO MUCH FUN! And when it is time to go home, the video chats will be extra special until they can visit faraway again.
Backmatter includes author and illustrator notes and a guide to some of the places and foods explored in Taiwan. —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
At first glance, Amah Faraway may seem to have a specific audience, but if you take a step back, you realize how universal it is.
Not only is Amah Faraway relatable to families that live far from each other, in the wake of COVID-19, the lack of familial contact will resonate that much more.
For example, we live 10 minutes away from my in-laws, but we’ve had to keep our distance for large chunks of time for health reasons. Like Kylie and Amah, there were/are weekly video chats, but it’s not the same. I remember the same shy, overwhelmed feelings as we met up months after separation. And my daughter recognized those same experiences in Amah Faraway.
Amah Faraway goes beyond that, though. It shows how love and family connections can break down barriers — physical, cultural and everything in between. It’s a delightful picture book with comforting prose and lively illustrations. It would be a great preschool/kindergarten read in conjunction with the “grandparent days” that are often celebrated.
