Minh Lê

A boy is SUPER excited for a road trip to visit his new cousin. He's got a long (but impractical) packing list ("Hey, genius: did you remember to pack underwear and socks?" says his bored older sister, without looking up from her phone). But once everyone is in the car, they realize they've forgotten to pack the present for the baby - and now they can't find it! Time to retrace their steps...and while they don't find the nice new wrapped gift, they do find - with the help of little white dog show more Milo - precious things from their own babyhoods: a blankie, a bunny, a pair of booties ("YOU WERE SOOO LIIIIIIIITTTTLLLLE!"). In the car again with the replacement gift, they wonder where the intended gift went; a fun visual gag reveals it sitting on top of the car. show less

A young boy searches in vain for a spot where he can enjoy a book uninterrupted in this charming debut picture-book from Minh Lê. But every time he thinks he has succeeded, he discovers that nearby animals are ready and willing (eager, even) to comment on his reading selection, and their own reactions to it. Finally, in desperation, he flees before them, only to confront the dinosaur (of which he had been warned) at the end of the book...

In this age of internet book reviewing, in which much show more attention is paid and concern expressed at the idea of 'spoilers' - here on LibraryThing we use html to hide spoilers - Let Me Finish strikes me as a picture-book response to the current trend of readers demanding that they be protected from any accidental exposure to fore-knowledge of a book's defining episodes or (most importantly) conclusion. For my part, although I strive to avoid 'spoiling' a book for other readers, I do sometimes grow weary of the idea that it is my responsibility to protect others from knowledge that they'd prefer not to obtain, rather than their responsibility to avoid those venues and experiences (such as book reviewing sites) that might lessen their reading pleasure. Howsoever that may be, I found this an entertaining meta-fictional tale, one which amused me with its references (intentional or not, I am unsure) to contemporary book reviewing and discussion culture. The conclusion, in which the young boy disappears into his book, fleeing the dinosaur, was a nice touch, and perhaps a clue as to the author's ideas of how readers should behave (i.e.: simply become absorbed in their book and ignore all else). The accompanying illustrations by Filipino artist Isabel Roxas, are just as fun as the story they complement, adding to the madcap sense of fun. Recommended to anyone looking for meta-fictional picture-books in which the reading process is emphasized. show less

A young boy and his grandfather, not speaking the same language, have difficulty communicating with one another in this second picture-book from author Minh Lê, who made his debut with Let Me Finish!. When the boy begins to draw himself as a modern superhero, while visiting with his grandfather, the older man becomes excited and grabs his own sketchbook, in which he is depicted as a traditional Thai fighter. Through their artwork, boy and man make a connection, and manage to cross the show more divide between them...

A lovely book, one which pairs a minimal but evocative text with gorgeous artwork, Drawn Together addresses a number of key themes, from the relationship between the generations, and across cultures, to the power of art to cross barriers of all kinds. I was a little surprised at first, given the fact that Minh Lê was Vietnamese-American, that Dan Santat's artwork was inspired by Thai culture, and featured some Thai text, but then, there's something universal about the story, so I suppose he could have used any number of cultural background to adequately explore the themes. I did appreciate that the Thai text is translated on the colophon, and think that a knowledge of what the grandfather is saying adds to the story, especially in the scene in which he and his grandson are essentially saying the same thing. This is definitely one I would add to my short-list for this year's Caldecott. We'll see... Recommended to anyone looking for beautifully-illustrated picture-books, and children's stories addressing intergenerational and cross-cultural relationships and the power of art to aid in communication. show less

This is great and different, which I really appreciate. It has the bullying setting that is so common in middle grade books (because it is relatable), but the focus is on a silent meditation retreat and Buddhism. I loved how the Buddhist tales are often depicted with video game imagery. I loved that they each have a specific message, and each message is one that helps humans heal and survive. I love that Binh's family is loving, that he finds his way over the course of the retreat, and that show more Vietnamese culture is centered in the book. Top notch. show less