THE PINK PAJAMAS

A pair of pants sewn with love helps a child of Chinese descent remember a relative.

The young protagonist adores family visits with Yeye and Popo (Grandpa and Grandma) each week. Upon arriving, the child always runs straight to Ah Yi (Auntie). Ah Yi doesn’t verbally express her love; instead, she sews the youngster pajamas: “They are soft. They are comfortable. And they are always just the right length.” Onomatopoeia (“CLACK! CLACK!”) is strategically placed, connecting Ah Yi to her foot-pumped sewing machine. “The sound is music to my ears; when I hear it, I know Ah Yi is home.” But today, the pj’s Ah Yi has made aren’t a hit, because…“they are PINK!” Expressive cartoons textured with bold lines and colors clearly display the youngster’s disappointment. The child’s reaction isn’t lost on Ah Yi, who promises to make another pair. But a sudden illness lands Ah Yi in the hospital; she soon passes. The gentle narration flows naturally as the protagonist reels at the funeral; dissatisfied at the store-bought jammies purchased by Mom, the little one grieves further. Spying the pink jammies tucked away in a drawer, the child tries them on again and realizes they’re a perfect fit after all. And there’s something else in the drawer: Ah Yi’s sewing patterns (“her way of saying…I will love you—always”). Chua brings the tale to a satisfying ending as the child follows in Ah Yi’s footsteps.

A charming tribute to a lost loved one.