News that Dandan’s family will be moving far away makes her notice the details of their last Lunar New Year celebration at home in China. “Nainai’s stories chime in my ears. Garlic and ginger tickle my nose. I close my eyes to remember everything.” She and her best friend, Yueyue, have a tradition: cutting red snowflakes from paper, laying them on a plate and adding water. They freeze into ornaments they hang from trees on New Year’s Day. Yueyue’s going away present for Dandan is red paper and string, so Dandan can continue the tradition next year in her new home. In the United States, Dandan misses so much from home; she tries to understand and learn English but it takes time. “On my birthday, I wear a satin dress. My classmates snicker.” But one girl, Christina, doesn’t snicker. And by the time Lunar New Year’s Eve arrives, Dandan and Christina are carrying out the paper snowflake tradition together. Fine writing distinguishes this picture book about immigration, and moving, and friendship, of course, set against warm, stylized illustrations done with pencil, ink and Photoshop. (Ages 4-8)

Friends Are Friends, Forever is a picture book based on the author's own immigration story, the infinite impact of friendship, and passing on love and kindness around the world.

On a snowy Lunar New Year’s Eve in Northeastern China, it’s Dandan’s last night with Yueyue. Tomorrow, she moves to America. The two best friends have a favorite wintertime tradition: crafting paper-cut snowflakes, freezing them outside, and hanging them as ornaments.

As they say goodbye, Yueyue presses red paper and a spool of thread into Dandan’s hands so that she can carry on their tradition. But in her new home, Dandan has no one to enjoy the gift with—until a friend comes along.