Bing's Cherries by Julia Kuo, Livia Blackburne
Published by Random House Children's Books Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

A new American tall tale has been released by Livia Blackburne and Julia Kuo. This story is inspired by the real-life Chinese Immigrant, Ah Bing, who dedicated much of his life cultivating the popular Bing Cherry in Oregon. Blackburne’s story is about a father and daughter eating the dark red cherries in their backyard in July. “At night, after I’ve washed the cherry juice off my hands, I imagine Ah Bing’s life.”

She imagines Ah Bing is larger than life walking through the San Francisco shore plucking a dog out of the water and setting him in a safe spot. The gentle giant is given a bag of seeds to plant in the ground, as he sings of the sadness of being a Chinese Immigrant in America, a giant tear falls from his face into the ground. From the ground sprouts the most magnificent cherry saplings with snow white blossoms and beautiful dark cherries.

A well-written and eye-catching folktale picture book based on a real Chinese American immigrant to read alongside stories such as Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan. Ages 4+

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath