Amah Faraway

Acclaim for Amah Faraway: A 2022 Caliba Golden Poppy Award Finalist for Mirrors & Windows: Excellence in Children’s Literature A 2023 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year Selection A Junior Library Guild Selection A 2023 Crystal Kite Finalist (California)

A delightful story of a child’s visit to a grandmother and home far away, and of how families connect and love across distance, language and cultures.

Kylie is nervous about visiting her grandmother--her Amah--who lives SO FAR AWAY. In Taipei, Kylie is shy with Amah. Even though they have spent time together in video chats, those aren’t the same as real life. And Kylie is at first uncomfortable with the less-familiar language, customs, culture and food. However, after she plays and splashes in the hot springs (which aren’t that different from pools at home), Kylie begins to see this place through her grandmother’s eyes and sees a new side of things that used to scare her. Soon, Kylie is leading her Amah back through all her favorite places and having SO MUCH FUN! And when it is time to go home, the video chats will be extra special until they can visit faraway again.

Backmatter includes author and illustrator notes and a guide to some of the places and foods explored in Taiwan.

Margaret Chiu Greanias is the author of Maximillian Villainous. The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, she grew up in New York, Texas, and California, while her Amah lived far away in Taipei. This book was inspired by her childhood memories visiting her Amah-exploring night markets, splashing in hot springs, and connecting with relatives-and by her children experiencing Taiwan with their Amah for the first time. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, three children, and a fluffle of dust bunnies. Find her online at margaretgreanias.com.
@MargaretGreania

Tracy Subisak can’t stop thinking about being back in Taipei, eating yóutiáo and dòujiang (soy milk) with her Amah and Mama. Tracy is the daughter of a Taiwanese mother and Polish American father. She lived in Taipei for a bit as an adult and saw her Amah every week, ate delicious night-market snacks, and enjoyed every detail of beautiful Taiwan. She is the author-illustrator of Jenny Mei Is Sad, and has illustrated books including the award-winning Shawn Loves Sharks by Curtis Manley and Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane by Kirsten Larson. Visit her online at tracysubisak.com.
@tracysubisak