This book, beautifully illustrated and well-written, interprets fortune cookies' ambiguity in amusing and imaginative ways. The last page ends "I think fortune cookie fortunes are always true, don't you?" Well, no. I don't think fortune cookies have a uniquely oracular key to the future (in fact I have noticed strong evidence to the contrary), I don't agree that the superstition of believing in true fortune telling is harmless, and I don't like to read things to children that I emphatically believe to be false. ( )

I really enjoyed this book for two reasons. The first reason I liked this book was because of the writing, and the way the book was organized. The book is about fortune cookies, and seeing if they come true. Throughout the book, the story is told through fortunes, and it appears as if the fortune is right on the page. I liked this organization technique because it created a smooth flow throughout the story. It also gave the book continuity throughout the story.

The second reason I liked this book was because of the illustrations. The book is illustrated with many bright colors. There is also texture to the illustrations. When there is a blue sky there are light swirls, or there might be a green wall with light green flowers on it. This makes the colors pop, and the texture creates more exciting illustrations. The vibrant illustrations are also very specific to the text, and help tell the story.

The big idea of this book is to see the world in a different, and positive way. The main character in the book saw that many people’s fortunes form their fortune cookies were coming true. She started to see the world as a place where people can do great things, and make a difference. Though these fortunes don’t always come true, the main character started to look at life and see it for all the good it has to offer. The author wants people to see the world as a good place where people can make a difference and be happy. ( )

This is a fun and lively tribute to the Asian-American treat, the fortune cookie. The simple text is easy to read, and it is fun finding out if the fortunes will come true.

Read for Grace Lin author study.

Curricular connections: used in a unit about where cultural foods or traditions come from. The explanation about the history of fortune cookies could lead to further explorations of where and how this or similar foods originated. ( )

Although this book was fictional, it had many interesting facts about Asian food. I enjoyed reading this book for a few reasons. The first reason I enjoyed this book was the illustrations. The patterns in the clothes and table clothes are fine detailed paper surrounded by paint to create these wonderful characters and settings. I thought this was an interesting way to create these beautifully done illustrations. My favorite illustration was on the very last page that had a fortune cookie that read, “You have just read a good book ☺”. I thought this was an adorable personal touch that the author placed strategically at the end of the book. Another reason I enjoyed this book was for the facts that were provided at the end of the book. There is a fact section that provided many details about where the fortune cookies originated. The book states that fortune cookies “can be considered one of the first Asian American foods”. The fact section goes on to say that fortune cookies started here in America but have roots in Chinese and Japanese culture. I enjoyed the informational pieces that were found in the back of the book. The main idea of this book is to share positive fortunes and seeing the world in an optimistic manner. ( )

Personal Response: Fun book. The pictures are very detailed and the concept is a bit tricky. It combines cookie fortunes with observations of the world through the eyes of family members. A good moral or creative writing story starter on being positve.

Curriculum/Program Connection: Needs a bit more introduction than many books. Need to discuss fortune cookies before telling the story. Lots of opportunity to connect with Asian culture, Asian foods and a happy positive moral.