Toronto writer Paul Yee offers another story of the Chinese immigrant experience in the New World. Wei Lim is proud of both his grandfather and father (Ba) who perform Chinese opera.In his youth, Grandfather played female characters, but Ba always played the acrobatic roles of great generals.Wei hopes one day to be as famous as they are, but Ba refuses to teach him opera, saying that in the New World he is better off getting a good education.However, to keep the family tradition alive, Grandfather secretly teaches Wei opera songs.Dwindling audiences and fewer actors place the opera company in financial jeopardy, and Ba must now play female roles as well as his usual ones.Not only does this challenge his pride, but singing the high notes challenges his voice too. Ba is forced to practise long hours, and since Grandfather has returned to China there is no one to help. Or is there? Wei has the perfect solution to his father’s problem, and finds a way to fulfill his own dream.

Yee’s storytelling is even and gently paced, yet the calmness does not diminish the real conflicts and stress experienced by his characters.Although he writes about the struggles of Asians adjusting to a new culture, the tension and healing that occur between Wei and Ba happen with fathers and sons anywhere. Readers will understand Wei’s concern for his father as well as the boy’s determination to prove himself and provide a remedy.

Jan Peng Wang’s sepia-hued oil paintings perfectly match the tone of Yee’s story. The recipient of many awards, Wang skillfully paints his figures and faces to convey action and emotion. The many full and double-paged spreads make this picture book for older readers a good choice for reading aloud. Thanks to the talents of both artist and author, A Song for Ba lets readers honour an element of Chinese-Canadian history and respect all those trying to find a balance between their own new and old worlds.