Published in 2017, A Different Pond written by Bao Phi and illustrated by Thi Bui, depicts a young boy’s experience going fishing early in the morning with his father. As the boy and the dad fish, the dad describes going fishing in Vietnam when he was young. The story illustrates a family’s experiences as an immigrant family. The young boy reflects on how his dad’s Enlgish sounds like a thick dirty river to his classmates but a gentle rain to him (Phi & Bui, 2017). The boy’s parents work many jobs to support their family but come together to eat supper including the fish the boy and his father caught that morning. Along with beautifully illustrated images, the story provides insight into culture, immigrants’ experiences and also the depth of a parent-child relationship. Children Kindergarten through grade four will connect with many aspects of this book such as fishing with a parent or the boy’s adoration of his father. The book also opens new perspectives for many children through immigrant family’s experience.
The author Bao Phi came to Minnesota as a baby, his family having fled Vietnam. He grew up in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis providing a local connection to the book. Bao Phi can be seen at event around Minnesota including a book release party for his second children’s book, My Footprints, at the Red Balloon on Saturday, September 7, 2019, 2 pm. A Different Pond is a 2018 Caldecott Honor Book.
No comments:
Post a Comment