I loved the creative illustrations. Just to note, in case your eyes/perceptions resemble mine, Lin Lin does not wear a cap; she just has short smooth hair. Dramatic story I would not recommend to the youngest children, heartwarming for all of us over age about 5 or 6. ( )

[b:The Chinese Violin|1384174|The Chinese Violin|Madeleine Thien|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1183150843s/1384174.jpg|1374199] is a moving and poignant story about immigration, and how cherished objects, mementos and memories can ease the pain of homesickness. The Chinese violin is a traditional Chinese musical instrument that Lin Lin and her father take with them when they immigrate from China to Canada (from the look of the illustrations, I would say that they immigrate to the Greater Vancouver area). To Lin Lin (the daughter), it represents a treasured memento, as well as a link not only to her home village in China, but also to her past, to her culture. The Chinese violin eases Lin Lin's homesickness; it represents home, thoughts and memories of home, and the friends and family she had to leave behind when she immigrated to Canada. The violin is not only a treasure, but also a type of security blanket, a solace, which is why Lin Lin is so sad and distracted when the violin gets broken (and the fact that the violin gets broken as a result of a violent robbery makes its loss even more traumatic). Also poignant and moving (to the point of repeatedly bringing tears to my eyes) is the fact that Lin Lin's father works washing dishes at a busy restaurant, not only to make enough money to pay the rent, to make ends meet, but also so he can buy a new Chinese violin for his daughter. When Lin Lin receives the new Chinese violin from her father, she is happy beyond words; she practices playing the violin outside and both friends and strangers stop to listen to her music. The final scene in [b:The Chinese Violin|1384174|The Chinese Violin|Madeleine Thien|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1183150843s/1384174.jpg|1374199] is absolutely priceless; Lin Lin, performing in the school auditorium to an appreciative audience, with her proud father beaming at her.

When I first perused [b:The Chinese Violin|1384174|The Chinese Violin|Madeleine Thien|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1183150843s/1384174.jpg|1374199], I really did not enjoy the illustrations all that much. I found them rather cartoon-like and not my cup of tea at all. However, there is a good reason why the illustrations seem rather cartoon-like. The illustrator, Joe Chang, actually created both the story and the illustrations originally as an animated short feature for the National Film Board of Canada; the story, with images and music, was told without words. When the story was then transferred from film to book, author Madeleine Thien created the words that would accompany Joe Chang's illustrations (animation). Looking at the illustrations, one can easily see how this story was originally an animated feature; the illustrations are very much like a cartoon film. I still do not "love" the illustrations, but being aware of the fact that the story was originally an animated short, makes me realise that the illustrations in [b:The Chinese Violin|1384174|The Chinese Violin|Madeleine Thien|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1183150843s/1384174.jpg|1374199] should be approached as being, or as having originally been an animated short film; they should be accepted for what they are. Because, if one thinks of Joe Chang's illustrations as representing an animated film, they work very well, and Madeleine Thien's words provide a wonderful complement, a poignant and emotional story for everyone, both children and adults alike. ( )

For young Lin Lin and her father, the Chinese violin is more than a source of music, it also is a cherished reminder of their culture and object of comfort after the small family emigrates to Vancouver. Although the two have initial difficulties fitting in with their new country, Lin Lin's father is optimistic that "very soon this place will feel like home" despite the setbacks they faced. Through it all, the Chinese violin represents their dreams, their struggles, and hope born anew.

The illustration style is unusual among picture books, which perhaps reflects the fact that Joe Chang created the illustrations for an animation short originally. I found them a bit awkward in parts, but overall my daughter and I enjoyed this tenderhearted story. (ages 3-7) ( )