An honest #OwnVoices story about growing up with a name that is unfamiliar to the kids around you, told with humor and heart by critically acclaimed author/illustrator Thao Lam.
Even though it’s only four simple, familiar letters long, nobody can ever pronounce Thao’s name. She’s been called Theo, Tail, even Towel! But the teasing names―Tofu, Tiny, China Girl―are worse. Maybe it’s time to be someone else? Thao decides to try on a different name, something easy, like Jennifer.
It works, but only until she opens her lunchbox to find her mother’s Vietnamese spring rolls, gỏi cuốn―Thao’s favorite! Now, it feels a lot more comfortable to be herself.
Simple on the surface, this story inspired by Thao’s own childhood is full of humor, heart, and important ideas of diversity, inclusion, and cultural pride. The story will be instantly relatable to readers who have ever felt different.
Designed with a playful emphasis on typography, and Thao’s own childhood photos added to her signature cut-paper collage, THAO champions being true to yourself and your background, and being empathetic towards others. It is a celebration of all that’s in a name and the power of owning your identity.---from the publisher
24 pages 978-1771474320 Ages 5-10
Keywords: inclusivity, prejudice and racism, cultural identity, being yourself, self esteem, acceptance, accepting others, empathy, identity, Asian culture, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, diversity, diverse books, Asian American, understanding others, respecting others, understanding your feelings.
Editor's note: This would be a great classroom discussion starter for the topic of what makes someone uncomfortable when they see food from a different culture, hear a name from a different culture. Are they scared by the differences? Why? What can a different name or food do to them? Is their own food different from the food of someone else? Is their own name different? When their great grandparents immigrated to this country were they accepted by the people living here already? Why or why not?
