Publisher's Weekly Review
A traditional Chinese belief categorizes food as either warming or cooling, explains an author's note; this inspires Giang's debut, which follows the eponymous two cousins, "as close as two beans in a pod" despite their contrasting personalities, as they prepare for their grandmother's birthday. Hot-tempered, impulsive Ginger and cool, organized Chrysanthemum have individual yet complementary ideas about how to best dress and decorate for Grandma's special day, but when they are asked to make a green tea birthday cake together, their dissimilar methods lead to disastrous results. Thin-lined digital illustrations have a sketchlike look that evoke Ginger's approach, but Chan succeeds in drawing the girls' distinctive personalities, and the pages are enlivened by the addition of trompe-l'œil stickers, Chrysanthemum's lists, and Polaroidesque framing en route to delivering a perennial message. Ages 4--7. (Oct.)
Kirkus Review
Cousins with opposite temperaments learn to work together to celebrate Grandma's birthday. In this picture book, Ginger and Chrysanthemum are "as close as two beans in a pod," even as they diverge in their preparations for Grandma's party, to be held at her restaurant. Excitable Ginger is spontaneous in getting dressed and in her shopping impulses. Calm Chrysanthemum's planning is so comprehensive and precise that she itemizes "give present" and "have fun!" on her to-do list. Upon arriving at Grandma's New Asian Kitchen and volunteering to make her birthday cake, the girls nearly fail at their joint task because Ginger dismisses Grandma's recipe as "just a fancy list." Her mishaps inspire quick thinking and a green-tea substitute, and together, the cousins create a surprising cake that Grandma loves. Plot, setting, and context suggest the girls and Grandma are of Chinese descent. Describing the warm-versus-cool essences of foods according to Chinese traditional belief, the author demonstrates complementary forces striking a balance, as personified by protagonists named after edible plants. Reminiscent of poster art and comic sketches from another era, the illustrations embody a hint of nostalgia. Readers familiar with Chinese cultural motifs will recognize a twist in the design of the jade pendant the girls select as a gift: Instead of its traditional association with weddings, here it may reference the "double happiness" the two girls bring Grandma. A sweet story spiced with cultural humor and life lessons. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Two cousins work to make their grandmother's birthday special. Ginger moves quickly, jumping into action with enthusiasm. Chrysanthemum takes a more cautious approach, slowly checking steps off her list. Ginger grows frustrated by Chrysanthemum's deliberation, while Chrysanthemum is irritated by Ginger's mistakes. The narration refers to the girls as "two beans in a pod," showing that, despite their differences, the cousins are close and loving. As they shop for decorations and a gift, Chan includes various Asian cultural details in the fine-lined digital illustrations. As the girls attempt Grandma's special birthday cake recipe, frustrations mount, mild insults are hurled, and a whole bag of green tea powder is wasted. Now they are "two beans in a pickle." The solution? A twist on Grandma's traditional cake, made with chrysanthemum tea and ginger icing. The cake looks a bit strange, but Grandma is pleased with it and her two little soybeans. Incorporating the Chinese belief that foods have warm and cool characteristics, Giang's story artfully demonstrates how achieving balance results in positive outcomes.
