The New York Times Book Review - Sarah Harrison Smith
These cheerful stories, with their flat, '50s-style illustrations, tell an inescapable truth: twins have to negotiate everything.
From the Publisher
*"The girls' differing personalities and sisterly affection continue to shine...Once again Lin's richly colored gouache artwork, based on 1950s children's textbook illustrations, gives reason enough to celebrate. Tw-inspiring fiction for beginning readers."—Kirkus, starred review
*"Lin continues to work wonders within the early reader format in twins' Ling and Ting's birthday-themed second outing...Despite working with a limited vocabulary, Lin infuses the twins' every interaction with personality and understated humor, while underscoring the girls' individuality."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"These cheerful stories, with their flat, 50's-style illustrations, tell an inescapable truth: twins have to negotiate everything."—New York Times Book Review
New York Times Book Review
"These cheerful stories, with their flat, 50's-style illustrations, tell an inescapable truth: twins have to negotiate everything."
The Horn Book
"While the book has a sweetly retro feel to it, Ling and Ting's adventures will appeal to contemporary audiences....Let's hope Lin continues to share with readers the further adventures of this dynamic duo."
Booklist
"Simply written and engaging, the brief stories are well suited to beginning readers...An appealing addition to the Ling & Ting series."
Kirkus Reviews
Lin swaps her trademark cupcake for birthday cake in this cheery follow-up to Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same (2010). Sporting the same haircuts they received in the first book, Chinese-American identical twins Ling and Ting return with six short stories that center on preparations for their sixth birthday. "Birthday Shopping" reveals their playful humor as each girl tries to surprise the other by entering different stores. In the toy store, Ting selects a yo-yo that she obviously wants and hopes Ling will share, and in the bookstore, Ling does the same with a book that she hopes to read. Clever readers will notice that the bookstore carries many of Lin's titles and that Ling's selection is none other than a miniature-sized version of the original Ling & Ting. The girls' differing personalities and sisterly affection continue to shine in "Birthday Cakes." As they make their own birthday cakes (because of course, each girl needs her own), Ling carefully reads the cookbook, while Ting goes about the chore with spontaneity. When only Ling's cake is edible, she cuts it in half to share with Ting. The stories build on one another, culminating in their birthday wishes coming true. Once again Lin's richly colored gouache artwork, based on 1950s children's textbook illustrations, gives reason enough to celebrate. Tw-inspiring fiction for beginning readers. (Early reader. 5-8)
