Thao: A Picture Book

 

My Thoughts:

The novel in verse When We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez has a poem in the book titled "Roster" about students who have non-Western names and the moment of nervous waiting when the teacher inevitable mangles their name as it comes out of their foreign mouths, and how that changes your identity to the students around you. This picture book by Thao Lam does a beautiful job of acknowledging the way others have mangled her name by putting it out there and thus reducing the power of the taunts. 

In addition, many children of immigrants, now adults, have talked about the trauma of being teased when they bring their home lunch as the smells, textures and ingredients of their food is different from the more vanilla school lunch. But in this book, Thao finds strength in her mother's Vietnamese spring rolls because for her it just reminds her that she is loved, and that helps her to love herself and gain confidence in her identity. 

The collage art and the use of Ms Lam's own childhood photos makes this picture book feel very cinematic and playful. The cover is simple, but the inside is gorgeous!

From the Publisher:

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.