This fun and fascinating biography of a Taiwanese ice pop entrepreneur—the author's beloved grandfather—is a terrific read-aloud about inventiveness and the treats of summer.Charlotte Cheng's grandfather always had a bag of coins rustling in his pocket. That bag carried with it "a story of joyful jingles, sultry summers, and fresh frozen fruit which began in 1965 in the lush valleys and mountains of an island called Taiwan."
This story of Agong's Icy Fruit company, from first inspired idea through experimentation to countrywide success, is a lyrical, lively, and richly illustrated read that's part biography, part family tribute, and part celebration of summer.
Gather round for Icy Fruit!
On sale: May 13, 2025
Age: 4-8 years
Grade: Preschool - 3
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780593617755
Reading level: Lexile: 1100L | Fountas/Pinnell: M
Charlotte Cheng’s writing credits include
Roar-Choo!, Night Market Rescue, and
I Miss You Most, and she has illustrated the picture books
Silly McGilly and
A Moment in Time. In the field of education, she has written and illustrated K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies such as LeapFrog, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Vivian Mineker is a Taiwanese American illustrator who creates visuals she hopes evoke the profound feelings and emotions that we all experience as humans. She has illustrated a number of children’s books, and when she's not drawing or painting, you can probably find her running around outside with her dog, browsing and sniffing at books in bookstores, or stopping for a cup of coffee or a piece of cake.
"Cheng's affectionate narrative flows naturally, marked by alliterative, elegant language. Mineker’s warmly textured illustrations rely on soft lines and bold colors. A delectably loving tribute to a pioneering entrepreneur." —
Kirkus
"Strains of written music float through Mineker’s bright scenes of sweaty Taiwanese slurping happily on jewel-colored ice pops as well as through final views of Agong’s memorial service. Cheng's reminiscence may well inspire young readers of any cultural background to be mindful of like foods, habits, or traditions that bind their families and communities together. ”—
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