Broken

by X. Fang

Join Mei Mei on her hilarious and emotional journey in this dramatic and tenderhearted picture book about guilt and forgiveness, from the acclaimed creator of We Are Definitely Human .

When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her ama's favorite cup, she's convinced it's the end of the world. What if Ama is angry? What if she yells? What if she kicks Mei Mei out of her house? Mei Mei can't face it. But when Mimi, the innocent cat who witnesses her crime, ends up being blamed, the guilt is too much! Mimi's accusing eyes follow Mei Mei until she just can't take it anymore, and the truth comes spilling out.

With vibrant and moody cinematic illustrations and pitch-perfect pacing, X. Fang's newest picture book is filled to the brim with comedic drama and the comforting sweetness of a grandparent's forgiving hug.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Cats, Storytime, Fiction, Animals

48 pages, Hardcover

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Hello! I’m X. Fang. I am a visual artist and maker of books for young readers. I was born in Taiwan, raised in Atlanta, Georgia, bounced around Brooklyn and Philly before settling down in Midcoast Maine with my husband, son, and dog.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming book about a cup that got broken, and the exaggerated fears of the little girl about possible consequences. But a little glue, and words of comfort are reminded to her:

Every patch and every repair tells a story.

So true!

4.5*

[Sophie Janto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never record the books I read my boys but I had to for this one because it deserves a 5 star review. Such a perfectly written children’s book with a great lesson. The cat is hilarious. Ama is pure love. Mei Mei is so relatable. And we love both honesty and fixing things! So good; read this one to your kids.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A JAM!!! such a sweet portrayal of a child’s easy slip into spiraling into a catastrophe. Mimi. Mimi knows- it made be laugh so much!!!

[Cedy Redcay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this arc.
Broken is a cute story that follows Meimei as she navigates telling the truth about who broke her Ama’s cup.

I found the story to be accurate regarding how children react to situations and encourages them to tell the truth. The feelings, the reactions, and thought process were so accurate. If you work with kids, this is a good way to teach them about telling the truth without being worried about consequences. I cannot wait to incorporate this into my work.

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and simple, not a bad story, a good message

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal parts funny and good message of making mistakes and saying sorry. The illustrations were so expressive I loved it. Just on the edge between storytime and lower elementary read a loud.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The favorite to win the 2026 Caldecott.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Bethany, you were right it is a very good book. Loved the illustrations as much as the story.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All broken things can be repaired"

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

X. Fang is my favorite picture book creator working right now, and Broken did not disappoint. While less fantastical than We Are Definitely Human or The Dim Sum Palace, it is no less fantastic. I loved this story about a situation most kids will find themselves in at some point—breaking something and needing to fess up despite the fear of disappointing, angering, etc. their caregiver. As always, great illustrations accompany the story.

Themes: Broken, Mistakes, Sorry
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 for story, 3.5 for illustrations. 1-2 sentences per page. Could be used for mixed family storytimes or preschool! Mei Mei is bored at her Ama’s house so she tries to scare Mimi the cat but accidentally breaks Ama’s cup. Ama thinks Mimi broke the cup but Mei Mei eventually breaks down and confesses it was Mei Mei’s fault. Ama does not get mad; instead, Ama tells Mei Mei every repair tells and story, so Ama and Mei Mei fix the cup together and end happily with their tea and cake. Teaches kids that the truth comes up, not to lie or hold back, and that while mistakes happen, things can be fixed! Also shows kids what it looks like to worry, to feel guilty, and to be torn between choices. Humorous and relatable.

Only looking at the illustrations, I could clearly understand the whole story, so the graphics lay out the plot very well.

The cover shows the bottom half of the girl Mei Mei, the cat Mimi, and the broken cup. The back cover showcases the fully intact cup. Under the dust jacket of the book is the pattern on the cup, which is a nice touch. The front endpaper shows Mimi sleeping and the back endpaper shows Mimi knocking over the glued-together cup, which made me laugh. Paper quality is thick. Illustrations merge with the gutter naturally.

Color: There are a lot of shades of blues, reds, oranges, and darker grays. Mei Mei’s red overalls may point to the Chinese cultural association with liking the color red due to good fortune and happiness associations. The colors used are predominantly cool, but characters like Mei Mei and Mimi are warm-colored, making them stand out. The colors are darker when Mei Mei feels so guilty that she runs into the closet, and we see the brightness of Ama’s clothing/Ama’s presence introduced when Ama talks to Mimi in the closet. Color reproduction seems clear in the book.

Line: Lines are light and not heavily lined at all. There are some curved lines for movement (in Mimi, in Mei Mei crouching or crying).

Shape: There’s use of organic shapes found in nature and some geometric patterns, like the design on the cup.

Texture: The graphite pencil on paper and digital coloring are clearly seen in the shading, lines, and shadowing, which show some texture.

Dominance: Dominant elements include the cup, Mei Mei, cat, Grandma, and the cake. These dominant elements are consistent with the text. Size is used well in the illustrations in this work. We see the importance of the cup by its size in taking up almost the whole page and the page where it’s in pieces by Mei Mei’s feet (close-up illustration). We see the height of Mei Mei’s guilt as Mimi becomes bigger and bigger on the page (starts off taking up the bottom half of the spread when Mimi enters, then continues to have Mimi’s face be zoomed in on over 3 pages). We also see the fight for dominance in the repetition of the MiMi vs cake panels stacked on top of each other, as Mei Mei wrestles with eating the cake and not telling Ama the truth, or telling the truth that she broke Ama’s cup. The tension/being torn between the two options was depicted excellently visually. We also see the importance of Ama hugging Mei Mei, as that takes up a two-page spread.

Text: Text shows up in and around the illustrations. I loved the text placement – on the page where everything curves around, the text is strategically placed curving too, and on the page where the cup goes up and then down (x3), the text mimics that motion, further highlighting the illustration movement. The text also gets bigger as the scene intensifies. The text changes shape too when Mei Mei expresses strong emotion (Oh no! No! And when she wails that she broke it and is so sorry). The typeface is a sans serif font, and it fits the story in feeling modern, clean, and simple.

Composition: One page is a whole spread landscape-wise, when Mei Mei is terrifed to discover Ama is right behind her! There is not a lot of white space in the book – the illustrator uses space effectively by using size to emphasize what is important and Mei Mei’s growing feelings. White space is also used to show that the cup is important – the only pages that have a decent amount of white space are the scenes where the cup takes up most of the page. The illustrations work well with the page turns of the book, especially the continual page-turning of the Mimi-cake scenes (the right-side of the page has Mimi staring at the reader and having an increasingly zoomed-in view of Mimi’s face for three page turns).

Overall: The illustrations are accurate in their cultural details – the Ama slippers, the tea, the swiss roll cake, the usage of Ama/Mei Mei.

[Victoria M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken by X. Fang is a poignant picture book that delves into the themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the gentle art of mending—not just objects, but relationships and hearts.

The story follows Mei Mei, a young girl visiting her Ama, and her cat, Mimi. In a moment of boredom, Mei Mei frightens Mimi, causing a cup to fall and break. Overcome with fear of punishment, she hides outside, expecting Ama's anger. However, to her surprise, Ama doesn't reprimand her; instead, she reassures Mei Mei that the broken cup can be fixed, teaching her that mistakes are opportunities for growth and understanding.

This narrative beautifully illustrates how children internalize fear of punishment and how compassionate responses can foster trust and emotional healing. The story emphasizes the importance of choosing kind words and grace when things go wrong, highlighting that the way we discipline shapes children's confidence and sense of self-worth.

X. Fang's Broken is a heartfelt reminder that what is broken can be mended, and that love and understanding are powerful tools in nurturing resilient and empathetic individuals.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Tundra Books) for providing an advance copy of this book.

[Erin Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Broken' written and illustrated by X. Fang is one of the most delightfully and beautifully illustrated children's books I have ever encountered. It tells the story of Mei Mei who accidentally breaks her Amas favorite cup and allows the cat Mimi to be blamed for it. The trouble is Mei Mei has a terribly guilty conscience and has to fess up to the deed. It is a perfect story for children and the lesson of forgiveness and how fixing things makes everything better. My favorite illustration was of Mei Mei hiding in the closet crying her eyes out and almost drowning in her own tears, we all know what that feels like no matter what age you are! I read this book to my two grandchildren ages six and four and they loved it as much as I did. My six year old granddaughter is just learning to read and she was able to sound out and read many of the words which made her feel very proud. I'm going to treasure this one forever. Very highly recommended for a lovely story and beautiful art work. 5 solid stars.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Fang's previous book We Are Definitely Human, so I'm glad I got to take a look at this one, too. The way the art work takes up space on the page is beautiful and shows so much care and thought in how to visually tell the story. Mei Mei has broken her Ama's cup and isn't sure how Ama will react. Will she be mad? Will she kick her out of the house? The story seems so simple, but shows love and empathy in such a gorgeous way. I like the small details like the cat staring, and the pictures slowly getting closer to the cat's face or talking about something taking time and Mei Mei getting a little bigger and her hair getting longer. The attention to detail is apparent. Highly recommend and can see why some people are considering it for Caldecott.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mei Mei is trying to sneak up on her Ama’s cat when she accidentally knocks Ama’s cup off the table and it shatters. Mei Mei is sure Ama is going to banish her forever. Soon Ama calls her in for a snack of cake, but Mei Mei can’t eat a bite. Ama thinks her cat broke the cup, but the cat is staring Mei Mei down. The cat knows the truth. Mei Mei knows the truth. Does Mei Mei have the guts to tell Ama the truth?

This is a sweet story about how being honest can set you free, how great forgiveness feels, and the love of a grandmother for her granddaughter despite breaking a treasured cup. (And how fixed up broken things can have great stories.) Fang was able to really encapsulate a little one’s fears over such an event through the emotive illustrations. It’s a relatable story that will hopefully give littles the guts to tell the truth, even when they are a little worried about the consequences.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken is a book about honesty, guilt, and forgiveness. When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her ama's favorite cup, she doesn't tell her. She is worried she will be so angry that she won't love her anymore. When Ama blames the cat for breaking the cup, Mei Mei's guilt takes over. She tells her that it was she who broke it and runs to hide. Her Ama shares times where things were repaired and made as good or better than new. She forgives Mei Mei and Mei Mei realizes that she should have been honest. This is a good book to share with young children to teach honesty, as well as consequences of their actions. It also teaches that accidents can be forgiven and aren't the end of the world. I really liked the illustrations also by X. Fang. I haven't read this to my grandkids yet, but I will, especially as my granddaughter often isn't truthful.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mei Mei is at Ama's house and while playing with the cat, Mei Mei inadvertently knocks and breaks Ama's cup. Imagining all kinds of consequences from Ama yelling at her to kicking her out as punishment, Mei Mei runs away. When she is called back inside, Ama scolds Mimi, the cat, for its naughtiness in breaking the cup. Full of guilt, Mei Mei runs to hide and stay inside the closet, too scared to come out and confess her wrongdoing. But when the truth won't stay hidden anymore, Mei Mei tells Ama everythng.

This book along with its illustrations does a good job portraying the moral conflict we often have in our hearts to either tell the truth or a lie. I also like how Mei Mei is able to learn that telling the truth is freeing and can often be met with grace and forgiveness, and that "broken" things can be repaired to tell a new story.

[Cooper Mullins · Rating 3 out of 5]

X. Fang’s Broken is a crafted picture book that transforms a common childhood mishap accidentally breaking a grandparent’s favorite cup into a cinematic and deeply relatable emotional odyssey. The story shines through its "uncommon mix of sensitivity and mirth," capturing the spiraling anxiety of a young girl, Mei Mei, as her guilt manifests in hilariously dramatic ways, particularly through the unblinking, judgmental stare of Mimi the cat. Fang’s digitally colored graphite illustrations are both cozy and innovative, using clever perspectives to mirror Mei Mei’s internal turmoil before leading to a beautifully tender resolution. It is more than just a story about a broken object; it is a heartwarming celebration of honesty, the "gentle art of mending," and the unconditional love of a grandparent that proves no mistake is too big to be fixed with a little glue and a lot of grace.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mei Mei becomes bored at her grandmother's house, she decides to try to scare the cat. Instead of scaring the cat she ends up knocking over Ama's favorite mug and breaking it. She runs out of the house, terrified of what Ama might say or do to her. Eventually, Ama calls her in for tea. Ama believes that Mimi, her cat, has broken her mug. Mei Mei wants to allow her to believe this, but Mimi stares at her while she's trying to eat her cake. The sense of guilt that Mei Mei feels becomes overwhelming until she just has to tell her grandmother the truth. In the end all is well, the mug is mended and Mei Mei and Ama have another story to tell.

A good one for learning about telling the truth and taking responsibility for our actions.

[Ashley Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Tundra Books) for providing an advance copy of this book.

This book is magic. Not only are X. Fang's illustrations simply stunning, but the lesson of the story is an important one taught in a beautiful way. This book was enjoyed by fourth graders who engaged in deep conversation as sparked by the book: when is it important to tell the truth? In what ways does guilt show up? How do you repair if you've made a mistake? This is a book that will absolutely find a home in our school library and will be enjoyed by students and teachers alike.

[Monica Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What’s broken can also be fixed.”

This is probably my favorite children’s book I read all year. The story’s theme is so valuable for young children, especially when it comes to the fear of taking responsibility for our actions. I could relate to this child, also as someone that would hide in closets until I was ready to talk, write in my journal, or tell my problems to a loved one. I loved the optimism of this story and would happily purchase a hard copy for our home. The illustrations have beautiful contrasting colors and accentuated the storyline.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

[Precious Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustration was beautiful and I love the way it explained the way Mei Mei thought process went. This was a beautiful way teaching children that telling children telling the truth helps in the end and accidents happen.

The only reason I give it a four star is because I don’t believe in the message. “What’s broken can be fixed”, because sometimes things can’t be fixed and that’s OK, I wouldn’t want my child thinking every time something’s broken it can be fixed whether that’s a heartbreak, a toy, or anything like that. But nonetheless, very beautiful story.

The importance of forgiveness.

Thank you NetGalley & X.Fang for the opportunity to read this story.

[Kimberly Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley and Tundra Books, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Broken follows the story of a little girl who makes a common mistake and breaks something that belongs to her grandmother. Her grandmother blames it on the pet, but the lie of omission is eating at Mei Mei. She doesn't want to upset her grandmother by admitting the truth, but also doesn't want to lie. The illustrations beautifully convey the story's message of love and forgiveness. I think kid-readers will see the cover and want to read this book! They'll relate to the problem and be soothed by the ending.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mei Mei accidentally breaks her Ama's cup, but it looks like she may get away with her crime. Will she fess up, or let an innocent cat take the fall?
(Here's a hint - nothing can make a perpetrator crack like the ice-cold glare of a wronged kitty. The police should use felines in their interrogation rooms.)

I've loved both of Fang's previous books, and this one proves to be just as delightful. I cannot wait to see what she dreams up next.

Many thanks to Tundra Books and NetGalley for sharing.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Bill W’s 2025 Caldecott class project list.)

Mei Mei was bored at her grandmother’s and decided to scare Mimi, the sleeping cat, but in doing so bumped the table breaking Ama’s mug. Running outside to hide, Ama calls her back in and brings out cake to have for tea, blaming her cat for the broken mug. Unable to eat the cake, Mei Mei hides and then confesses. AMA is a fixer, and glues the mug back together. It now has a story to tell.
Maine visual artist
Her media appeared to be colored pencils. There are many pages with lots of white space and others with no white space. Bold colors and contrasts of simplified form provide strong images.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 4 out of 5]

How sweet. The dedication is "To all the broken things waiting to be repaired" and THAT is beautiful in itself.

This book has wonderful, big, and bright illustrations that make it inviting for young eyes.

I wish my challenging child would read this and understand that relationships, not just objects, can be repaired and have a story to tell.

I would highly recommend this for preschool age and above. It certainly teaches wonderful lessons about fixing a problem, accepting responsibility, being loved no matter what, and how to deal with a problem. We often want to run away from problems but it's best to talk it out and work it out.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another stellar picture book from X Fang! It has minimal text (perfect for a Storytime), expressive and dramatic illustrations, and excellent pacing that plays up the humour of a girl’s imaginings of her punishment after breaking her grandmother’s beloved cup. The story brings up themes of honesty, forgiveness, repair (both literal and emotional), as well as the genuine fears (whether grounded in reality or not) children have of what will happen to them if they admit to wrongdoing. A great book to start a conversation about accountability, strength of character, and taking responsibility to fix what you’ve broken.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

captures the child’s viewpoint

Broken is about a little girl who accidentally broke her Ama’s mug. She worries AMA will be SO made she might yell, or punish her, or kick her out! But when the cat takes the blame, can she finally tell the truth?

As a kid, I broke my mom’s candy jar. I packed a bandana tied to a stick and ran away around the. Lock (because I wasn’t allowed to cross the street). The drama of Broken brought back all the memories. I wish I would have had a book like this back then. Five stars on really capturing the fears of a child and helping them get through it.

The art is so fun and perfect for the story. And I loved the ending.

[Maddie Edgington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story from the perspective of a young girl named Mei-Mei demonstrates the all encompassing nature of guilt in children. Mei-Mei breaks a cup, worried her Ama will be upset, or go as far as to kick her out. Although Ama blames their cat Mimi, Mei-Mei struggles with the guilt of Ama not knowing. Eventually, Ama comforts Mei-Mei and fixes the cup, and the story ends with the comfortable knowledge that broken things can be fixed. The art style is rounded and volumistic, with colors that liven the pages. There is little scene, with either dark negative space, or few objects taking center stage in the depictions.

[Dale Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

(E) before 11.21.2025: this is one of the NY Times 2025 Best Children's Books that our library has...; a child scares a cat, then she hits a side table that breaks a special cup; the child tries to blame the cat but (of course) confesses to the grandmother appearing figure (Ama) who simply repairs the cup. The author is a visual artist and based on this books illustrations, an excellent one; even the cup was drawn in an interesting design; 2025 hardcover via Madison County Public Library, Berea, 48 pgs.