Broken

About this book

Mei Mei is bored at her Ama’s house, so she decides to scare Mimi the cat. But in the excitement, disaster strikes. Mei Mei accidentally breaks Ama’s favourite cup. For her, this feels like the end of the world. Surely Ama will be furious, maybe even angry enough to kick Mei Mei out of the house! 

Her guilty conscience weighs on her throughout the day until, when Mimi gets the blame, the pressure becomes too much to bear and the truth comes spilling out. To her surprise, her Ama is not angry. Instead, she supports Mei Mei through this experience and teaches her that scars and repairs can tell their own unique story and add to the richness of our lives. 

This is a simple yet powerful exploration of a childhood experience that many readers will relate to. When something goes wrong, it can feel overwhelming. Like Mei Mei, our first reaction might be to hide away or to imagine the worst. But, through Ama’s gentle support, we are reminded that owning your mistakes and being honest is the way to repair both objects and feelings alike.

A wonderfully illustrated and deceptively complex picture book with a captivating illustrative style.