A Different Pond

Written by Bao Phi · Illustrated by Thi Bui

A young boy goes fishing with his father before dawn on a Saturday morning, learning about his father's past and their cultural heritage along the way.

5.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 5,988 ratings

32 pages· 952 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud· 620L

$24.65Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Young Bao rises early to fish with his father in Minneapolis, not for sport, but to feed their family. As they cast their lines, stories of a distant pond in Vietnam unfold, weaving a tapestry of survival, heritage, and hope. What secrets does the past hold, and how will they shape Bao's understanding of his father's sacrifices? This poignant tale explores the bonds between father and son, and the cultural threads that connect them across oceans and generations.

From the publisher

A 2018 Caldecott Honor Book that Kirkus Reviews calls “a must-read for our times,” A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father’s long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao’s father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui’s striking, evocative art paired with Phi’s expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards.