Minfong Ho

Absolutely lovely. I defy a toddler to stay awake until the end, but that's all the more reason to buy (not just borrow) the book so you can read it with them while they're awake, too. I wish this were more well-known - if not for this Caldecott club I never would have discovered it.

I like that it's a creative story, written by a Thai person, depicting animals, architecture, clothing, etc., familiar to the author's childhood... but is apparently *not* based directly on a folktale and show more therefore requires no historical note beyond the dedication.

Don't miss the detail, on some pages, of the baby's antics!

I will look for more by both author and illustrator. show less

Settlement in the U.S. is confusing and difficult for Nakri but she soon finds solace in learning to play the flute and reacquainting herself with the classical Cambodian dance her mother had taught her. Description of apsaras (dancing goddesses) and classic Cambodian dance make this different from similar Cambodian stories. I didn't find the sense of fear and tragedy fully realized.

A father is searching for his daughter, hiding outside. Instead of finding her, he uncovers a list of increasingly large (and dangerous!) animals, starting with dragonfly and ending with tiger. I admit that seeing those dangerous animals in their natural habitat (not in a "fantasy" picture book setting) made me a little worried for her safety! But all is well at the end. The author and illustrator set the book firmly in the Thai landscape and uses the traditional and repeated "Jut-Ay, show more peek-a-boo" to transport the reader. show less

After loving [b:Hush! A Thai Lullaby|22208|Hush! A Thai Lullaby|Minfong Ho|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388179692s/22208.jpg|23264] I just had to find this. I still love learning about traditional Thai rural life, including all the interesting sounds the animals make in that language (for example the dog barks "Hru-hruu"). I love the little girl and the daddy playing. But I do wish the illustrator had used the same style that earned her a Caldecott Honor. And I do recommend you show more preview this, as it gets a little tense when Dad goes further from the house to ask the wildlife if they've seen the girl.

I do recommend the book and wish there were more companions to these two, but I think the Lullaby is the better of the two. show less