Big Jimmy's Kum Kau Chinese Take Out

From Publishers Weekly A young narrator takes readers behind the scenes at his family's restaurant, and serves up a surprise in the end, in Big Jimmy's Kum Kau Chinese Take Out by Caldecott Honor artist Ted Lewin. Realistic watercolors depict the food, family and Brooklyn neighborhood with flair. A recipe for "Buddha's Delight," a vegetable dish, is included. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Grades 1-3--Irrepressible energy propels a young narrator through a day at his parents' Brooklyn restaurant (a real place), from early morning deliveries to dinnertime. Lewin's photo-realist scenes take viewers from quiet, sun-drenched sidewalks to the gleaming kitchen's busy nether reaches, all to a mouthwatering commentary: "Uncle Ming, Chung, and Wing work side by side, moving around each other like dancers in a ballet. Subgum Chow Mai Fun. Sam Gap Tai. Moo Goo Gai Pan.-Flip. Flip. Flip. Done!" After a day of greeting regulars, handing out menus, and chucking packets of condiments into bags of takeout, "It's time for my favorite dish-PIZZA!" Lewin himself puts in an appearance at the end, happily chowing down on his favorite dish, Buddha's Delight. Serve up this tribute to a neighborhood establishment with the likes of Alexa Brandenberg's Chop, Simmer, Season (Harcourt, 1997) or Marissa Moss's Mel's Diner (BridgeWater, 1996) for a taste-tempting storytime.