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A visually stunning story of resilience and determination…
This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta; and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat wearing a little backpack and armed only with a single oar. On the way, he is confronted by giant crested waves, heavy rainfall, and eerie forests where fear takes hold of him. Although daunted by the dark unknown, An realizes that he is not alone and continues to paddle. He knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination – one familiar to children all over the world.
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Questions to Discuss with Your Family
Taking a boat by himself was a special first for An. Do you think you could pilot a boat all by yourself? What is a special “first” you’ve had in your life?
An found a way to be brave & joyful about his new experiences. If you were in the boat with An, what would you say to him? What could you say to someone who might be anxious about the first day of school or trying something new?
Think about your first day at school How did you get to school? What do you appreciate about how you get to school?
How did you feel before your first day of school? Was there anything you were worried or excited about?
Do you think the river was a character in this story? What do the illustrations of the river communicate?
Compare & contrast your preparations for the first day of school with the main character An’s. How are your journeys alike & different? How do the physical obstacles An faces symbolize some of the internal challenges you may have on your first day?
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Meet the Author & Illustrator
Additional Activities
Draw & label a map from where you live to your school. Draw a path on the map to show how you get to school.
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