Where Thuong Keeps Love

AWARDS: submissions to CBC Notables, ALSC Notables, SCBWI, and regionals like CA Book Awards.
EVENTS: online author events and school visits and in-person events if possible in LA and Houston areas.
REVIEWS: education, national trade, regional, kids and parents, and culture media.
ONLINE: Social content and YouTube book trailer will be sharable for timely dates like Family Day and Vietnamese days in September and Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Festival dates, like Têt in February. Also outreach to Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association in America, a group established over 60 years ago that reaches communities within the US and overseas in Vietnam.
TRADESHOWS: CALIBA author feature and galleys and giveaways at ALA, regional library and bookseller shows, etc.

Inspired by the subtle yet unique differences in the notion of love between American and Vietnamese cultures, Where Thuong Keeps Love is a beautiful exploration of the nonverbal ways love is held and stored in every part of the body.

"This exploration of expressing familial devotion provides opportunities for social-emotional learning by connecting actions, both physical and emotional, with love. . . A sweet and charming tale that validates different ways of expressing love."
—Kirkus Reviews, one of the 150 Most Anticipated Fall Books

Let's Talk Picture Books Crush of the Week!
Featured in Children's Book Council's Summer 2022 Showcase: Love Makes the World Go Round

"Have you ever thought about where your love for others lives? In this lovely picture book, a young Vietnamese girl asks her friends where they keep their love for their parents. After hearing (and agreeing!) with most of their answers, she realizes her love for them is all throughout her body—not just one part. A glossary and an author's note introduce some differences between American and Vietnamese culture, and a glossary helps readers of all ages pronounce names correctly. A loving gem all about love."
—Belmont Books, bookseller recommendation

Where do you feel and keep love for your parents? In your head, where you think kind thoughts? In your mouth, where you say special words? Or in your heart, where you feel good emotions?

Inspired by the subtle yet unique cultural differences in how love is expressed, Where Thuong Keeps Love explores all the nonverbal ways love and affection are connected and held in every part of the body—from the top of the head all the way down to the tips of the toes.