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“A Thai boy finds comfort in a Buddhist tale while adjusting to life in Chicago…The digitally painted grayscale city shrouded in snow proves a jarring change from the bright sunbathed colors of Thailand…Cold and dispirited, that night Krit requests a story from his mother, who tells a cryptic tale of Buddha’s finding a place to build his temple. Straightforward narration reveals the next day is a more fruitful one when Krit meets Dahlia, a white girl playing with a toy boat in the river. With Dahlia’s friendship, Krit looks at Chicago with new eyes, realizing the moral of his mother’s story and the true meaning of home…A welcome modern tale of immigration featuring a Thai protagonist.”

– Kirkus Reviews

 

Krit Dreams of Dragon Fruit: A Story of Leaving and Finding Home

Written by Natalie Becher and Emily France
Illustrated by Samantha Woo
Published by Bala Kids

A beautifully illustrated, Zen-inspired picture book for children ages 4-8 about moving to a new home, making friends, and finding beauty wherever you are.

Krit and his dog, Mu, love their beautiful home in Thailand—full of golden temples, colorful mountainsides, and endless adventures. Everything seems perfect until Krit’s mother announces they will be moving to the frigid city of Chicago. At first, Krit tries to adjust to this unfamiliar place, but he can’t do any of the things he used to love. Missing Thailand, Krit asks his mother to tell him a story about home. But instead of a story, she gives Krit a koan—a Zen riddle—to puzzle through. Krit wonders what the story about a blade of grass and Buddha’s smile have to do with home, but in solving the puzzle, Krit meets a new friend and learns that home is wherever he makes it.

 

Primary ISBN: 9781611807752
Publication Date: March 2020
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Thailand (Chiang Mai), United States (Chicago IL)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Home Country, Immigrant

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Engagement Projects & Resources:

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Engagement Materials:

Emily France, co-author of Krit Dreams of Dragon Fruit, discusses the inspiration for the book and how she found a sense of happiness and peace during big, challenging changes in life.

Krit Dreams of Dragon Fruit Coloring Pages

Source: Shambhala Publications