Thao: A Picture Book

An honest #OwnVoices story about growing up with a name that is unfamiliar to the kids around you, told with humor and heart by critically acclaimed author/illustrator Thao Lam
Even though it's only four simple, familiar letters long, nobody can ever pronounce Thao's name. She's been called Theo, Tail, even Towel But the teasing names--Tofu, Tiny, China Girl--are worse. Maybe it's time to be someone else? Thao decides to try on a different name, something easy, like Jennifer.
It works, but only until she opens her lunchbox to find her mother's Vietnamese spring rolls, gỏi cuốn--Thao's favorite Now, it feels a lot more comfortable to be herself.
Simple on the surface, this story inspired by Thao's own childhood is full of humor, heart, and important ideas of diversity, inclusion, and cultural pride. The story will be instantly relatable to readers who have ever felt different.
Designed with a playful emphasis on typography, and Thao's own childhood photos added to her signature cut-paper collage, THAO champions being true to yourself and your background, and being empathetic towards others. It is a celebration of all that's in a name and the power of owning your identity.

Author: Thao Lam
Publisher: Owlkids
Published: 04/15/2021
Pages: 24
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.60h x 8.50w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781771474320
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 1.5
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 512671 / Thao


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 12/11/2020 pg. 1
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2021
Booklist 03/15/2021 pg. 67
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2021

About the Author
Lam, Thao: -

THAO LAM is the critically acclaimed author/illustrator of THAO, Wallpaper, My Cat Looks Like My Dad, Skunk on a String, and The Paper Boat, named a best book of 2020 by Kirkus, Booklist, School Library Journal, NYPL, and others . She studied illustration at Sheridan College and has an insatiable love of colored and textured papers, which she uses to create her exuberant collages. She draws inspiration from the stories she hears, from the beauty in everyday things, and from the work of the many illustrators she admires. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.