A Different Pond
Written by Bao Phi
Illustrated by Thi Bui
Published by Capstone Young Readers
Featured on the 2017 Children’s Best Books Lists including Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Washington Post, Kirkus, New York Public Library, and more! Acclaimed poet Bao Phi delivers a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son and between cultures, old and new. A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event a long-ago fishing trip. As a young boy, Bao Phi awoke early, hours before his father’s long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao’s father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. The New York Times has said that Bao Phi’s poetry rhymes with the truth. Kirkus Reviews calls A Different Pond a must-read for our times. Thi Bui’s striking, evocative art paired with Phi’s expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews.
Primary ISBN: 9781623708030
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 07 or older
Community Represented: Vietnamese/Vietnamese American
Themes: Award Winner, Discrimination: Language Ability, Educator Resource, Engagement Tool: Arts, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Welcoming Library Selection
Setting: United States (Minnesota)
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Projects & Resources:
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Lesson Plan
Source: Reading to Kids
Story Map
Source: Teaching Books
Craft Lesson
“Fishing for Memories”
Source: Mai Story Book
Reader’s Guide (PDF)
Source: Publisher’s website- mycapstone.com
This book is part of the Welcoming Library. The Welcoming Library is a traveling collection of picture books set in our New Arrival and New American communities. From small towns to big cities, these immigration stories are helping readers (of all ages) Welcome and Belong. WelcomingLibrary.org.