A lovely, magical story about a brother, Malcolm, and sister, Li-la, and the Fu-dog doll she received from their Chinese great-uncle. Fu-Dog can talk to Li-la; we learn at the end of the story that he is a spirit dog. The family lives in St. Mary's Green, but Li-la, Malcolm, and Fu-Dog decide to sneak off to London's Chinatown to meet Great Uncle. They have realistic adventures, luck, and kindness from a taxicab driver who guesses which Chinese restaurant they want to go to---they've asked for "the Chinese restaurant"---and doesn't charge them for the ride. The children's father comes to appreciate Chinese food and people; the family makes friends with a new immigrant family from China, wishes come true for Malcolm and Li-la, and everyone lives happily ever after. A most satisfying story; it brought tears to my eyes. And I learned how to kowtow; although, I don't think my knees could take it at my age.
The illustrations are colorful, realistic, and delightful.
And yet, there there are only 44 members with this book. Perhaps because it's too long for young children, but looks like a picture book from the outside? Or that in spite of a talking doll, it's about ordinary people and reasonable events? But it has messages, albeit understated, and good people; there are no villains---ah, maybe that's the problem! ( )