My Footprints
CCBC Review:
After facing school bullies, Thuy sees her footprints in the snow on the way home as those of various animals in a story about the healing power of imaginative play. Once home, Thuy is reluctant to talk about what happened at school when her two moms ask her about the day, but her moms join in on Thuy’s footprint “game,” their questions and interaction gently probing even as they give their daughter space to process and act out her anger and hurt. Bao Phi’s exquisite writing captures Thuy’s rollercoaster of emotions. Basia Tran’s illustrations are tinged in ice blue, giving a sense of cold and snow, and her varying perspectives offer vistas of Thuy’s footprints, as well as what’s happening in her imagination. Together the words and picture tell a singular story, but one that many children will identify with, while leaving room to think about and interpret what is happening. Thuy and one of her moms, Momma Ngoc, are Vietnamese; Momma Arti is South Asian. ©2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Basia Tran
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Asian Americans
Bullying and Teasing
Families
Feelings/Emotions
Imagination/Imaginary Play
Indians and Indian Americans
Lesbians
LGBTQ+ Persons
Mothers
Vietnamese and Vietnamese Americans
Diversity subject:
Asian
LGBTQ Family
On CCBC Booklists:
LGBTQ Lives in Selected Children's and Young Adult Books
Bullying, Teasing, Relational Aggression and School Violence
Asian in America: Selected Books for PreK-Grade 12 to Support Hmong and Asian American Studies in Wisconsin
Publisher:
Capstone Edition
Publish Year: 2019
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781684460007
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Phi