About this item
Wishes tells the powerful, honest story about one Vietnamese family's search for a new home on the other side of the world, and the long-lasting and powerful impact that makes on the littlest member of the family. Inspired by actual events in the author's life, this is a narrative that is both timely and timeless. Told through the eyes of a young girl, the story chronicles a family's difficult and powerful journey to pack up what they can carry and to leave their world behind, traveling to a new and unknown place in a crowded boat. With sparse, poetic, and lyrical text from acclaimed author Muon Thi Van, thoughtful back matter about the author's connection to the story, and luminous, stunning illustrations from Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Victo Ngai, Wishes tells a powerful and timely story in a gentle and approachable way for young children and their families.
About the Author
M??n Th? V?n loves to read books of all shapes and sizes. The first language she learned to speak in was Vietnamese but the first language she learned to read in was English (and she was so shy in elementary school that she practically learned to read English before she spoke it) . The first book she remembers reading on her own is a yellow Nancy Drew hardback from the school library, and since the library had the whole series, it was a while before she read anything else.Funnily enough, M??n doesn't remember remember reading picture books as a young child and instead discovered them in high school. In picture books, she found a wonderful meeting of art, poetry, philosophy, and storytelling. So few books reflected her formative experiences, though, that she desired to bring new and different stories into the world.Now from her home in northern California, M??n crafts stories after drop-off and before pick-up. Some of these stories become books (that are brilliantly illustrated by other folks) , and some of these books are read around the world. Since her acclaimed debut, IN A VILLAGE BY THE SEA, her books have received many distinctions, including an Irma Black Honor for THE MOST TERRIBLE OF ALL, a Golden Kite Award for CLEVER LITTLE WITCH, and a Golden Poppy Award and an ILA Notable Books for a Global Society Award for WISHES, which was also named the Best Picture Book of 2021 by BookPage.The best recognition, however, comes from readers who see themselves in her books; for that opportunity, she just wants to say: Thank you.
