“A Different Pond,” by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui.
Capstone Press, North Mankato, Minn., 2017, 32 pages, 1-3.
Nearly every day some type of news is being reported about the actions of immigrants to the United States. Though the country was built through immigration, there is a great deal of fear about these new arrivals. It should be acknowledged that every country has a right to protect its own borders and establish citizenship requirements. But it needs to be remembered that the United States reaps great benefits from newly arrived immigrants. Bao Phi tells the remarkable tale of his own family’s life in Vietnam and their later settlement in the United States. It is a beautiful story of the strength, endurance and love of a besieged family escaping from a terrible war. The title of this poignant book is “A Different Pond.”
The sun has not yet risen when a young Vietnamese-American boy is awakened by his father. The father carefully dresses in the dark so as to not awake his tired wife. The child quickly puts on his clothes while his dad makes bologna sandwiches for their fishing trip.
They quickly stop at the bait shop and the owner asks why they are out so early. The father tells him in broken English that that he and his son must go fishing early because he wants to begin his second job on time. The bait shop owner shakes his head in disbelief and admiration for the father’s pluck.
Soon the boy is led by his dad to the fishing pond. They sit on the bank fishing and resting in each other’s presence. The father tells the child stories from his own childhood in Vietnam. Some of the stories are pleasant but others are particularly painful. The boy learns of his own history from these stories in the comforting presence of his father.
Soon, they begin getting bites on their fishing lines and the boy reels in a nice-sized crappie. The child is somewhat frightened to take the fish off the hook. The dad smiles at his son through his broken teeth and removes the hook. Both of them know that the mother of the family will make a fine meal out of this fish.
But as day begins to break, they stop fishing. Dad’s second job is waiting. With patience and kindness, the father puts his arm around the boy and walks back to the car. The boy is excited to give the fish to his mother. What happens when they get home?
What does the family eat for supper? How does this father with limited English and a large heart take care of his family? What does it mean to be a loving and protecting father? Though financially poor, why is this family so blessed with riches?
To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this lovely story, “A Different Pond” by Bao Phi.
This book was just awarded the Caldecott Honor Medal by the American Library Association and also received the Charlotte Zolotow Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This picture book speaks to family life on many levels. The parents are kind and hard-working. The son gains a deep respect for his parents by observing them learning English and working hard for the scanty rewards that immigrants so often receive. But their love for each other is moving. When you finish the book, you will see all the riches they possess. I hope you get the opportunity to read this fine book with one of your family members. It has much to teach about what is important in life.
