Amah Faraway

Available anywhere books are sold. Order online or from your local bookseller.

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.

When she and Mama finally go to 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 in Taiwan, Kylie is at first uncomfortable with the less-familiar language, customs, culture, and food.

Soon, Kylie is leading her Amah-Come see! Lái kàn kàn!-back through all her favorite parts of this place 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.

Illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Published by Bloomsbury Kids (January 25, 2022)

ISBN: 9781547607211

PRAISE

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION

2022 CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY FINALIST MIRRORS AND WINDOWS: EXCELLENCE IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

2023 CRYSTAL KITE AWARD FINALIST (CALIFORNIA)

2023 BANK STREET BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR

★ STARRED REVIEW
“. . . this is a poignantly emotional and highly relatable story for children whose grandparents or other family members might live far away, but also one that teaches universal lessons about overcoming fears of the unfamiliar.” – SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

★ STARRED REVIEW
“Margaret Chiu Greanias’s inviting Amah Faraway is a heartfelt homage to her Taiwanese heritage that binds multiple generations on either side of the globe. Margaret Chiu Greanias and Tracy Subisak delightfully, inventively present a hesitant child’s transformative reunion with her Taiwanese grandmother on the other side of the world.” – SHELF AWARENESS

“. . . a must-have picture book for many Asian immigrant families.” – WORLD JOURNAL (translated)

“Encouraging openness toward new experiences amid a centering of one child’s diasporic shift in cultural perception, this contemporary tale tenderly spotlights the strengthening of an intergenerational relationship.” – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“An au courant portrayal of a transnational childhood.” – KIRKUS 

“A sympathetic portrayal of long-distance family ties.” – BOOKLIST

FREE ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY GUIDE: Download a teacher’s guide designed for students in grades 1-3. All activities were created in conjunction with Common Core and other relevant content standards.