FINDING PAPA - Winner of ALA’s Asian/Pacific American Honor Award for Literature
“Reassuring despite depicting a dangerous journey and uncertain time; there are many children for whom this is not history, but family stories. Essential.”
-Starred Review by School Library Journal
“Krans’ prose gently helps young readers understand concepts such as missing loved ones and displacement. Repeated phrasing and recurring elements (crocodiles, mango trees, goodbyes) create a lyrical, compelling narrative and read-aloud.”
-Kirkus
“Add this to the aforementioned titles for an inclusive display on the various journeys people take to find safety and the hardships they often face.”
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Stunning illustrations and gentle text tell the story of a separated family’s heartrending and hopeful journey from Vietnam to the U.S.”
- Starred Review by Booklist
WORDS BETWEEN US
Lists and Awards
Words between Us is a tender, respectful depiction of a frequently occurring situation as older generations migrate to the U.S. The illustrations are colorful and add a sense of whimsy while capturing the strong, loving bond between Felix and Grandma.
-Booklist
This story of a Vietnamese American family and Grandma’s immigration to the United States has all the right ingredients: beauty, warmth, and relatability…
Krans’s text feels down-to-earth and authentic, deftly conveying respect for Felix and Grandma as both learners and as experts in their different ways. Ho (Eyes that Kiss in the Corners) uses a palette of complementary yellows, blues, greens, and reds to show the joyful home of this Vietnamese American family.
-Starred Review by School Library Journal
There is a beautiful sense of symmetry in Felix and his grandma’s relationship as they connect over their interests and lovingly support each other through challenges. Ho’s digital illustrations are simply stunning.
-Starred review by Kirkus
Humor and empathy guide a Vietnamese American boy’s attempts to acclimate his grandmother to a new home and language in this tenderhearted title…
Pham Krans and Ho build a well-paced story around simple scenes in which the two characters bond—looking at photos, playing music, caring for a pet, gardening—and experience moments when “they didn’t need to say anything at all.” Buoyant digital illustrations capture domestic family life and busy city scenes.
-Publishers Weekly
ANOTHER WORD FOR NEIGHBOR
Lists and Awards
Using soft colors textured with simple lines and deftly blended shadows exuding warmth and charm, Phuong presents humorous, cartoonish scenes of the kids invading Han’s space.
Presented in a mix of speech bubbles and narrative text, Krans’ prose is spare yet intimate; the author trusts readers to fill in the quiet spaces of the story.
A gorgeous tale brimming with friendship, love, and touches of humor.
-Starred Review By Kirkus
Angela Pham Krans, whose picture book Finding Papa was an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature honoree, depicts the growth of this intergenerational relationship with charming, witty prose that young readers will find both educational and humorous.
The sweet, cheerful atmosphere is complemented well by Thai My Phuong’s soft color palette and expressive characters, which inhabit a detailed, lively world of lush greenery and friendly cats, dogs and birds—animals just as curious as Kate and Olly. Another Word for Neighbor balances its heartfelt depiction of grief and isolation with all the warmth of a steaming bowl of pho.
- Review By BookPage