MAI'S AO DAI

MAI'S AO DAI by Thai Nguyen and Monique Truong. Illustrated by Dung Ho.

I don't typically give a heads up in picture books, but there is something to be aware of in this one.

It's the first day of the Lunar New Year for Mai, and with it comes a new outfit. Mai is hoping for a dress that will make her a star and is greatly disappointed when she learns it will be an ao dai, a traditional Vietnamese outfit. That's not worthy of a star, is it? Then Mai's father shares the story of why they wear an ao dai. It is in honor of her grandmother who was well known for her sewing abilities and every year made a new one for each of her family members. It is a way to acknowledge a "star" in their family. Her grandmother's eyes are now weak and can no longer make the clothes for the family, but she taught her children (including Mai's father) how to make them, and so the tradition lives on. This is overall a beautiful story with a nod to the importance of heritage and tradition.

HEADS UP - Mai has two dads.