Staff Pick
A father and son fishing trip brings memories of a different pond.This simple bonding story can foster larger discussions about immigration, sacrifice, and family history. Recommended By Bill L., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
A 2018 Caldecott Honor Book that Kirkus Reviews calls a must-read for our times, A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event — a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son — and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui's striking, evocative art paired with Phi's expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards.
Review
"Phi's bittersweet story of the resourcefulness of an immigrant family is lovingly illustrated in Bui's evocative artwork....This wistful, beautifully illustrated story will resonate not only with immigrant families but any family that has faced struggle." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"Graphic novel panels and strong figures give the pages the air of a documentary as Phi celebrates an unexpected superhero: a father who endures a strange new culture, works to support his family, cherishes time with his son, and draws no attention to the sacrifices he's made." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
"Hours before sunrise, a Vietnamese American father and son go fishing for that night's meal. This powerfully understated picture book shifts the usual focus of the refugee narrative to the reality awaiting a family once they reach their destination. With evocative detail and a keen ear for metaphor, Phi hints at the family's joys and struggles. Bui sets the mood with expressive brushwork and alternating colors for home and outside." Hornbook Guide to Children
About the Author
Bao Phi was born in Vietnam and raised in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis. He is an author, a poet, a community organizer, and a father.
Thi Bui was born in Vietnam and grew up in California and New York. Now all these places are a part of her. She draws and writes and teaches. She recently completed her first graphic novel, The Best We Could Do (Abrams, 2017), which is about her mother and father.