A Chinese-American boy gains a new understanding of his Chinese
grandfather in this celebratory story of family, martial arts, and the
Chinese New Year.
Vinson is very excited when his grandfather comes from China for a
visit. When Grandpa practices tai chi in the garden, Vinson asks to
learn, hoping it will be like kung fu, full of kicks and punches. But
tai chi's meditative postures are slow and still, and Vinson quickly
gets bored. He can't understand why Grandpa insists on calling him by
his Chinese name, Ming Da, or why he has to wear a traditional Chinese
jacket to the Chinese New Year parade. As the parade assembles, however,
he notices the great respect given to his grandfather and the lion
dancers under his training. And when Vinson is offered a role in the
parade, he realizes that being part Chinese can be pretty cool--and is
ready to start learning from his grandpa's martial-arts mastery in
earnest.