Much has been written recently about Chinese mothers being Tiger Mums who push their kids towards excellence in all fronts. I personally think it should be about developing on the gifts that God has written into my child’s DNA and acknowleging his weaknesses. I don’t think my child needs to be good at everything because he will only end up excellent at nothing.
In Star Anise, Superstar!, Star Anise wants to be a star in the Spice Kids band. She tries too hard, sings too loud and sows disharmony during singing practice. She stands out for the wrong reasons, puts off her friends and ends up running away in disappointment. When she stumbles on Creepies and Crawlies planning an attack on the Spice Kitchen, she decides to set aside her bruised ego to warn her friends. She does turn out to be a star after all, not for attempting to outshine everyone, but for helping her friends from the bug attack.
This book has good takeaways for children:
– That individuality isn’t about trying to outdo, outshine and out-sing our friends – that’s over-competitiveness. Rather, it’s about being true to your strengths
– Be our own person but be conscious of how your actions and words might affect your friends negatively
Star Anise, Superstar! is the 1st book in my friend Linn Shekinah’s Asian Spice Kids bilingual picture book series, sponsored by the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism.
Thanks for the recommendation!
You’re welcome!
This was the only book I purchased at the AFCC. : )
Haha…good to hear you picked this!