Ten Blocks to the Big Wok

A Chinatown Counting Book
By Ying-Hwa Hu
Hardcover: $20.95

This charming bilingual English/Mandarin counting book uses a stroll through Chinatown to introduce readers to the numbers one through ten in Chinese … and will leave you hungry besides!

Description

As Mia and her uncle Eddie travel the ten blocks from their apartment to the Big Wok restaurant, Mia spies one giant panda ride, two lion statues, three swimming turtles, four bonsai trees, five tai chi practitioners … There are so many things to see in Chinatown! And when they reach the Big Wok, they find ten yummy dim sum dishes to eat. But what route should they take back home?

This sweet story about a girl, her uncle, and a little cat they meet on the way accomplishes multiple fun and useful aims: It’s a fully bilingual counting book that teaches readers the numbers one through ten in both simplified Mandarin and English. It provides a fun tour of a typical Chinatown–a beloved neighborhood in many cities around the world. Children will enjoy spotting the kitten in every illustration as it trails Mia and Uncle Eddie through the streets. And with each item that Mia encounters on her walk, the book introduces some fascinating new aspect of Chinese culture or myth, as explained in the friendly backmatter. Join Mia and Uncle Eddie as they wander Ten Blocks to the Big Wok!

About the Creators

Ying-Hwa Hu headshot: She has short, straight, gray hair and wears glasses, pink lipstick, and a green and pink patterned shirt.
Ying-Hwa Hu

Ying-Hwa Hu and her husband Cornelius Van Wright have illustrated dozens of award-winning books. Their illustrations have been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “bright, detailed and dynamic, vividly depicting . . . characters’ facial features and personalities.” Hu, who was born in Taiwan, lives in New York City.

Awards

  • Best of the Best Books 2022

    Chicago Public Library

  • Best Books for Kids 2022

    THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY.

  • Best Books of the Year 2022

    Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature

  • Keystone to Reading Book Award Shortlist 2023

    Keystone State Literacy Association

  • Best Children's Books of the Year 2023

    Bank Street College of Education

  • CCBC Choices 2023

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

  • Blue Hen Book Award Winner 2024

    Delaware Library Association

  • Keystone to Reading Book Award Nominee 2023-2024

    Keystone State Literacy Association

Reviews

  • "Vibrant but not overly saturated colors give the journey a cheerfulness that is mirrored in Mia's bright smile—her delight is infectious. . . An appealing concept-book."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "This engaging read is almost as enjoyable as the everyday adventure it depicts. A good choice for story time as well as one-on-one sharing."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Charming. . . an entertaining counting book for young children of any background."

    - Booklist
  • "An immersive bilingual counting tale."

    - Publishers Weekly

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781643790688
  • Publication Date Jan 25, 2022
  • Trim Size 10.75 × 9 in
  • Weight 1 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / United States / Asian American
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Family / Multigenerational
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Bilingual, Comparing / Classifying / Measuring, Counting Money / Everyday Math, Cultural Diversity, Education, Families, Fiction, Food, Realistic Fiction
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 3 - 5
  • Grade Range 2
  • Guided Reading L
  • DRA 24
  • Reading Level 2
  • Bebop Reading Early Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 32
      Asian/Asian American English PreK-2
      Collection of 32 books: $421.40

      190 in stock

    • 17
      Lee & Low RIF Multilingual Learner Collection
      Collection of 17 books: $235.15

      348 in stock

    • 50
      Family Diversity
      Collection of 50 books: $736.50