Happy Book Birthday to Scroll by Hui Li!

Review:

Lulu and her dog, Dumpling look on with delight as Grandpa paints pictures on a scroll.  He explains that the pictures are ancient Chinese characters inviting Lulu to try drawing herself.  In her words and actions, Lulu’s excitement is palpable so when Grandpa falls asleep in his chair, Lulu continues to paint symbols and accidentally knocks over a rolled scroll onto the floor.  With Dumpling at her side, Lulu draws the character for door on the now unrolled paper. 

Magically, the door opens with Lulu and Dumpling disappearing into the scroll. Lulu spies the bird that Grandpa first drew and follows it.  On the next page spread, Lulu and Dumpling see a village drawn with Chinese symbols.  I love how Li includes red squares at the top of the page of each of the Chinese characters included in the illustrations. (This is actually done throughout the story.) Kids will be mesmerized wanting to locate them all in the artwork!  

Lulu and Dumpling blissfully stroll through the village, but a fire-breathing dragon disturbs their peace.  At first, the pair hides, but Dumpling tugs on the paint brush that Lulu is carrying like an arrow.  Can Lulu draw Chinese characters to not only save her and Dumpling but also return home? 

What a debut for author/illustrator Li!  The moment I saw the cover of Scroll, I was captivated especially with the adorable hound on the cover.  Opening the book, the front end pages full of Chinese painted symbols give readers a preview.  Before the story, Li shares a brief history of Chinese characters providing background knowledge.  Li’s narrative begins quiet with Lulu and Dumpling spending time with Grandpa, but then not long after, an intriguing adventure ensues when Lulu and Dumpling vanish into the scroll.  Li’s detailed artwork is full of action and expression. I love how she uses a variety of layouts from half page spreads and full page spreads to panels of up to four illustrations on one page. 

An author’s note provides the story behind Scroll.  I especially love this quote from Li-

“I’ve always wanted to share this experience with readers young and old. Imagine if every character you draw has its own story…”

I have no doubt that Scroll will inspire kids to become authors/illustrators drawing their own Chinese characters and writing their own adventure.  

Meet author/illustrator Hui Li: 

About the Author/Illustrator: 

Hui Lui is a lifelong student of Chinese calligraphy.  As a child, she practiced on old newspapers and learned several styles of traditional script. By the age of eleven, she had earned the rank of Kudan or 9-dan (the highest calligraphy rank). This visually expansive and personal story is her first book for young readers. She lives in New Jersey with her family.