Read a little.
Talk a little.
Come back for more.
Simple ways to share Dim Sum, Please! with your child—whether your family is sharing Cantonese, Mandarin, or English.
Let the pictures lead.
Look at the cover together. Ask, “What would you like to try?” or “Do you recognize any of these dishes?” There is no need to name everything.
Choose one small discovery.
Pick an ingredient or a dish. Read its English name, explore the Chinese text, and try a word in your chosen language together if you feel ready.
Make it personal.
Talk about a favorite meal or ask a relative what they like to order. Revisit the same page at your next storytime.
Reading a Cantonese-English book together.
Start with the English text and the illustrations. The Cantonese edition includes Jyutping beside the Chinese characters. Those letters and numbers are a pronunciation guide, not a translation into another language.
You don’t need to work through every word in one sitting. You might listen to a Cantonese-speaking relative, compare a word with the audiobook, or simply enjoy the story in English first.
If Cantonese is part of your family life.
Invite a parent or grandparent to read a page in Cantonese. Ask what they call the dishes at home and which ones they remember from childhood. The conversation can be as valuable as finishing the book.
Reading a Mandarin-English book together.
Our Mandarin edition includes pinyin alongside traditional Chinese characters and English. Begin with a familiar picture, then invite a Mandarin-speaking reader to share a word. The Mandarin pronunciation guide is different from the Jyutping in the Cantonese edition.
If your family is choosing a first bilingual Chinese book, compare the editions before ordering. Match the spoken language and character set to the people who will read together.
Try the Cantonese egg-tart sample.
- Notice: “What ingredients can you see?”
- Connect: “Have we seen any of these in our kitchen?”
- Imagine: “Who would you like to share an egg tart with?”
These are conversation starters, not a lesson to complete. Follow your child’s attention and stop whenever it feels right.