Reviews

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung

librarianryan's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0

I love when picture books introduce the reader to someone new.  Until this book, I had never heard of Tyrus Wong, even if I have seen Bimbi too many times.  I also never knew about “paper sons” and paper families who used fake identities to enter the US when specific cultures were banned.  This story was so heartwarming, and at times sad.  It follows the life of a man most won’t know, but will come to know, and start looking for his art.

authorlibrarianrachel's review against another edition

4.0

I want to give this book a 5 star review. I really do. It’s informative, culturally relevant, and it doesn’t have racist animations of BIPOC characters. It is a fascinating and heartwarming story. But the book is entirely too long. No child will sit through it as a read out loud. Early elementary readers won’t be able to get through it on their own and middle grade kids think they are too old for picture books.

katiegrrrl's review against another edition

5.0

The art in this is just gorgeous! Also, an incredible story. Tyrus Wong was the creator of the background art in Bambi, a new style of animation for Disney. He didn't get he credit he deserved from that work, but Leung and Sasaki are working on changing that with this beautiful book.

Winner of the YMA 2021 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature - Picture Book

maidmarianlib's review against another edition

5.0

Such a wonderful biography of an great artist.

peachani's review against another edition

informative inspiring fast-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement

Minor: Racism and Xenophobia

amageske's review against another edition

5.0

"Instead of drawing a forest scene leaf by leaf, tree by tree, he created the *feeling* of woods and mountains with sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors."

erine's review against another edition

4.0

Both inspiring in its subject and discouraging in its honest portrayal of the struggles he faced, this book tackles the life of immigrant artist Tyrus Wong. The text elegantly and simply explains the journey that Wong made as a child, conveying the uncertainty and the hope for a new life in the United States. His path to artistry was not smooth, either, even though it took him through playing a pivotal role in the creation of one of Disney's most beloved films.

Of interest to the Disney obsessed, or those interested in immigrant stories or artists.

ashylibrarian's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

- Inspiring story
- Shows themes of racism (having a new name given to him by a teacher to be more "American", getting fired from Disney due to protests he was not involved in)
- Main character gets put in an immigration detention center house while father passes through immigration without mentioned problems
- Main character is dynamic and strong and shows resilience and determination
- The artwork is unique and beautiful; really love the watercolor-type style 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Forced institutionalization

ceah_reads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

Paper Son Is beautiful, an elegant, tender biography of an artist who should be far better known. Tyrus Wong's life and story will also lend themselves to discussions of race and racism, immigration, and labor issues/fair treatment of workers. This would be a fantastic book for a class to consider as well as a lovely read aloud for one or two kids. 

thislibrarylife's review against another edition

5.0

So good! Prior to this, I didn't have any concept of what a "paper son" was, and that was a learning experience for me. I love that this bio is accessible for younger kids - the length isn't intimidating, there's lots of art to look at, but the content is still bulky, and a reader will learn a lot about Tyrus Wong (who worked at Disney!). Great for anyone with an immigration history, different racial or ethnic backgrounds, or those interested in art.