Ling and Ting also seem to exist in that ideal grown-up free world where a kid can walk to the library on her own and no one bats an eye. And in writing these stories Lin has to be amusing in as few words as possible. ‘Can you use your magic to get a smaller hat?’ “ I’m a sucker for that kind of thing. ‘I am wearing it because I can do magic.’ ‘You can?’ Ting says. For example, Ting comes in to see Ling wearing a big magic hat. At the same time her dialogue can be very amusing (particularly to adult readers). Lin can show unfortunate haircuts, which some kids will find funny on the one hand. The writing is simple, to the point, and pretty darn good. Other stories discuss making dumplings, going to the library, using chopsticks, magic tricks, and silly storytelling. Lin will do if she expands this book into a series). One particularly unfortunate sneeze later and her bangs are so eclectic that the reader has no difficulty distinguishing between the girls for the rest of the book (one wonders what Ms. Case in point is the story “The Haircuts” which tells the tale of how calm Ling gets her haircut without any fuss or bother, whereas fidgety Ting cannot sit still. Ling and Ting look alike and sound alike (and sometimes even dress alike) but they are not exactly the same, in spite of the world claiming the contrary. Six very short stories tell tales about these twin girls. Grace Lin has given us Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!, a book in the same vein as your Frog & Toad or Amelia Bedelia tales. Past success is no indication of future talent. When I heard that author Grace Lin, master of the novel, the early chapter book, and the picture book, was trying her hand at the easy reader format I was concerned. Some authors whip them out so easily it shocks the senses (see: Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggy books). Easy books (I should say GOOD easy books) are an acquired talent. Harder than a child-friendly mystery series.

Harder than asking them to write a romantic vampire novel. I am personally convinced that this is probably the most difficult thing you can ask an author to do. Now ask them to create a good easy-to-read book for children. Sit them down in a comfortable chair in front of a table. Simply hand them a piece of paper and a pencil. If you want to gauge the merit of a children’s author it’s easy as pie.

Ling & Ting by Grace Lin