Pull up a chair, dear friends. It’s time to blow out the candles and celebrate the launch of another amazing picture book!!! ANH’S NEW WORD, written by Hanh Bui and illustrated by Bao Luu is based on the refugee experience of the author – it’s a story that serves as a mirror and window and sliding glass door – and it will help many children feel seen, while helping others to learn about cultures and experiences that are new to them. And kind and generous Hanh is offering a giveaway of a signed copy of the book, so please be sure to leave a comment for a chance to WIN.

What a totally inviting and engaging cover! And because the story is based on Hanh’s actual experience, she was able to provide photos to the illustrator so that he would know how to draw the refugee camp at Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. In fact, we can all watch a documentary that was made by pioneer PBS film producer Anne Stanaway when 8-year-old Hanh was there in 1975.

Here’s a little bit about the book from the Macmillan website

A child living in a Vietnamese refugee camp learns their first word in English with a little help from their teacher and grandmother in this heart-warming picture book based on the author’s childhood.

Many things are different for Ánh now that they’ve left Vietnam with their family. The weather is colder and they live in a communal barracks at a refugee camp while they wait for their new life in America to start. Ánh finds comfort in their warm-hearted teacher, Miss Mary Ellen, but has trouble with the foreign sounds of learning to speak English in class.

All Ánh wants is to be able to say “thank you” out loud to Miss Mary Ellen, but will the words ever stop getting stuck between their head and their voice? With a little inspiration from their grandmother—as well as the chance discovery of an adorable animal—Ánh will try to gather the courage to finally say their first word in a new language.

Exquisitely illustrated by Bao Luu, Ánh’s New Word by Hanh Bui is a hopeful story of finding your voice, inspired by true events from the author’s childhood.

I mentioned that the story is based on Hanh’s real life experience – and what is truly amazing is that over 40 years after she was encouraged to say her 1st English word, Hanh reconnected with that special teacher. And here is Miss Marilou, reading the dedication to her in the book. Inspired by her first teacher in America, Hanh went on to became a teacher. ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! And now Hanh’s books are inspiring a new generation of children.

Here’s a little bit about the author and the illustrator of this beautiful book.
Inspired by her first teacher at the refugee camp, Hanh Bui pursued a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and taught second grade before becoming a full-time mother to three children. She also served as a Development Officer for Senhoa Foundation in support of women and children who survived human trafficking in Cambodia, and has served on boards supporting children and parents in building community. Hanh serves as co-chair of the Equity and Inclusion Team for the Mid-Atlantic region of SCBWI, and has been featured in Highlights For Children magazine, Next Avenue and Forbes. She is the author of The Yellow Áo Dài and Ánh’s New Word.

Bao Luu dreamed of becoming an artist as a child, and today his work as an illustrator focuses on bright, playful colors and unique textures. He is the illustrator of Simple Thanks written by Deborah Wiles and Ánh’s New Word written by Hanh Bui. He was born and raised in Vietnam and currently lives near Houston, Texas.

New books need our help, dear friends…we can:
Buy the book
Review the book
Place the book on our Goodreads Want to Read Shelf
Tell friends about the book (Please share on social media)
Ask our local library to purchase copies

And here’s a lovely graphic showing Hanh’s upcoming book events – If you are local, DON’T MISS!!!

Thank you so much for spending your precious time with us. I hope you all have a wonderful week! And don’t forget to leave a comment and share the post for a chance to WIN a copy of this wonderful book, AHN’S NEW WORD!