Chopsticks for My Noodle Soup: Eliza's Life in Malaysia

Susan E. Goodman

ISBN 10: 0761315527 ISBN 13: 9780761315520

Publisher: Millbrook Pr, 1999

Synopsis

A colorful photo essay captures the culture and beauty of a small village in Malaysia as seen and experienced by a fiveyearold American girl.

About this title

From Booklist:

Kindergartner Eliza accompanies her parents from their home in Connecticut to the Malaysian village where her mother will be working. Goodman puts Eliza's experiences into writing; photographer Doolittle, Eliza's father, illustrates them. From a child's point of view, Eliza comments upon the differences between American and Malaysian life--getting accustomed to an outhouse, washing clothes in the river, visiting the market--but she also notes the daily routines and universal feelings that make children all over the world similar. More details about the country would have been welcome; for instance, some Malaysian holidays are mentioned but not described. A small world map shows Malaysia's location; an additional map of the country itself would have been useful. Eliza uses some Malaysian words, but there is no pronunciation guide. Young readers will need to be reminded that the area where Eliza's family is staying is rural, and not all Malaysians necessarily live the same way. This could be incorporated into a multicultural unit for primary-grade students, but teachers will need to look elsewhere for solid information about the country itself. Catherine Andronik

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Five-year-old Eliza Doolittle from Connecticut narrates this photo-essay about her year in Malaysia with her scientist mother, who was studying the rain forest, and photographer father. She learns to adjust to a more primitive life where the bathroom is outside, she can spit her toothpaste out the door, clothes are washed in the river, and people sit on the floor and eat with chopsticks. Eliza also learns to speak the language. The child describes her house, the school she attends, the people she meets, the open food market, and more. Although the "Families around the World" series (RSVP) and the "Families the World Over" series (Lerner) address life in Asia, Goodman's approach will appeal to youngsters just getting their first dose of Asian culture.
Betsy Barnett, Eads School District, CO
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Millbrook Pr
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0761315527
• ISBN 13: 9780761315520
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 31