Before the sun rises, a father and son’s fishing trip becomes a quiet, powerful lesson in history, hope, and home.
“A Different Pond,” a picture book by poet Bao Phi and illustrator Thi Bui, offers a moving glimpse into the life of a young Vietnamese American boy. The story follows the boy and his father on an early morning fishing trip to a small pond in Minneapolis. Their purpose is not recreation, but to catch food for their family’s dinner table. As they fish, the father shares quiet stories of his childhood in Vietnam, of a different pond and a life left behind. This simple narrative beautifully captures a moment of family connection, the weight of economic hardship, and the experience of building a new life in a new country.
The book provides a powerful entry point for discussing the Vietnamese immigrant experience in America. It gently introduces the legacy of the Vietnam War and the economic realities that shape the family’s daily life. The father’s memories of his brother and life in his home country provide a poignant contrast to their pre-dawn fishing trip in the cold of the American Midwest. This narrative allows students of Vietnamese heritage to see their own family stories and histories reflected with dignity and authenticity. For other students, it builds a bridge of empathy, illuminating the quiet struggles and resilient bonds that often characterize the immigrant journey. The story subtly shows how the past is always present, shaping the family’s actions and their understanding of the world.
Bao Phi, a celebrated Vietnamese American poet and author, draws upon his own childhood experiences to lend a profound sense of authenticity to the narrative. His lyrical prose, paired with Thi Bui’s evocative illustrations, earned the book a prestigious Caldecott Honor. For educators, “A Different Pond” is an essential addition to any collection aiming to reflect the diverse experiences of its students. It provides a mirror for children who share a similar heritage and a window for those who don’t. The book’s quiet exploration of economic necessity and intergenerational memory offers a vital lesson in empathy, connecting the historical realities of immigration to contemporary conversations about equity and what it truly means to create a home.
