Ready for the First Day of School?

My First Day
Written by Phung Nguyen Quang & Illustrated by Huynh Kim Lien
Age Level: 3-8 Years
Published February 16, 2021

What’s their version of “The Wheels on the Bus?”

A totally universal experience across countries and cultures is the first day of school. But have you and your child ever stopped to think about what it looks like in different parts of the world?

It’s early morning and a little boy emerges from the hut where he lives in the Mekong Delta. Armed with only a single paddle, he steps into a wooden boat and begins his journey, one that he is embarking on alone for the first time. The journey isn’t easy: it’s the rainy season so the water level is high, crocodiles and pythons lurk beneath the surface, and there aren’t any signs on the water to help guide the way.

“It’s different when you’re alone in the unfamiliar hallways of the forest.
I hear the chatter of a classroom full of animals as I move by.”

Diversity in characters, plots, and the creators behind them are so important, and the way that this book invites conversation about cultural differences by building upon an experience that is familiar to every child is smart and impactful. The author and illustrator, Vietnamese artists who live in Ho Chi Minh City, offer a beautiful window into their culture through their poetic writing and transportive illustrations. Thoughtful back matter featuring a map of the Mekong Delta and facts about the Mekong River will deepen your understanding of the region and leave a great lasting impression as you close the book.