Stories for Growing
Cover of Amy Wu and the Perfect BaoAges 4 to 8
PersistenceLearning from mistakes

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua

Ages 4 to 8
About this age guidance

Kirkus: 4–8; Publishers Weekly: 4–8

The age tag follows Kirkus review. Other sources may suggest different ages. This is audience guidance, not an independent reading level.

A children’s librarian includes it in a short list of picture books about perseverance and says Amy learns that no one does something perfectly the first time.

Amy’s family makes perfect bao, but hers come out too big, too small or leaky. She works at it with her family’s help, nearly gives up, then thinks of making smaller dough circles that suit her. The book ends with a recipe and a reminder that not-so-perfect bao taste just as good.

Good forGiving up when things get hardSetting a goalBouncing backStuck on a problem

Recommended by Pima County Public Library

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What children see in the story

Amy keeps working on her bao even after she is close to giving up, until she finds a way that works. Her lopsided bao show her what to change, and the book ends by saying not-so-perfect bao taste just as good.

Why it’s on these shelves

Persistence
Amy’s bao keep coming out too big, too small or falling apart, and she nearly gives up with flour all over her. Then she thinks of making smaller dough circles, and her bao turn out soft and fluffy.
Learning from mistakes
Amy’s first bao are lopsided next to her family’s. She works out that smaller dough circles fix the problem, and the book ends by saying that not-so-perfect bao taste just as good as tidy ones.

Why pick it up?

Amy makes bao she is proud of and learns the not-so-perfect ones taste good too.

A note for parents

The “Amy-size” change is a fix to her own method. Publishers Weekly calls it a hack; it does not trick anyone. The recipe and step-by-step art at the back come from Kirkus.

Where this recommendation comes from

Pima County Public Library

A children’s librarian includes it in a short list of picture books about perseverance and says Amy learns that no one does something perfectly the first time.

Read PimaLib_Kids (children’s librarian)’s recommendation
Sources and review status

We have checked source descriptions and drafted the value mapping. We have not personally reviewed the full book. The value labels, situation assignments, and parent notes remain provisional.

Publisher or literacy resource · Original recommendation

Our explanation of the value fit is separate from the original reviewer’s judgment. Their inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of Stories for Growing.

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