Mama hangs a painting of some sort in the living room. Mei doesn' t think it is nice at all because it' s all in black, unlike her colorful crayon drawings. However, Mama seems to treasure it dearly. Before Grandma' s birthday, Mama, Mei and little brother Andrew decide to each create a painting for Grandma as her birthday gifts. Mama seems to be only copying the same odd painting hanging in the living room. So Mei is certain that Grandma will like their crayon drawings better. But to Mei' s surprise, Grandma seems to adore Mama' s black painting even more.

Why is that? What is the black painting about? And why do Grandma and Mama like it so much? Let' s find the answers in this book!