Thao: A Picture Book

It’s not easy being Thao. Her clothes are different, she has been called names, and it seems that nobody can pronounce her real Vietnamese name. Desperately wanting to blend in, she decides to change her name and fit into the mainstream culture…but at mealtime, Thao can’t deny her appetite for Vietnamese food! This picture book is sprinkled with lots of humour, but Thao’s journey also illustrates themes of courage, cultural pride, diversity, inclusion, and empathy. In a primary classroom, teachers may use this story to encourage students to reflect on how Thao must have felt and to share their own experiences with each other.