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"A Different Pond"

Written by Bao Phi                Illustrated by Thi Bui

Image Source: Amazon
        The illustrations in "A Different Pond" are almost all darker richer tones to depict the darkness of the hour that the Dad and the boy are up at. When there is light it is a deep yellow to show the warmth and comfort of their home, but also representing their lights without lamp shades to help diffuse the light in the house, as a lampshade is an extravagance for them. Thi does a wonderful job of using tones of blue and brown to shade the environment and shadows around the father and son that adds a beautiful depth to the images but also adds to the symbolism of the weight that the father feels everyday when he is fishing so that their family can eat.
        The text in this book is appropriate for the children reading it and is a credible conversation. "A Different Pond" is a realistic plot based off of the author's life as his father also fished to keep their family fed when they were immigrants from Vietnam in Minnesota. 
        This is an important book to share with children who come from more well-off families to learn about the struggles of family that works multiple jobs and still struggle, as well as the reality of many immigrant families. This is also important representation for children that come from this experience to read about and relate to. This book was professional reviewed by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal.

Phi, Bao. A Different Pond. Illustrated by Thi Bui. Capstone Young Readers, 2017. 28 pages. Tr. $15.95, ISBN 9781479597468.
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