Ánh's New Word : A Story About Learning a New Language

A child living in a Vietnamese refugee camp learns their first word in English with a little help from their teacher and grandmother in this heartwarming picture book based on the author's childhood.

Many things are different for Ánh now that they've left Vietnam. The weather is colder and they live in a barracks at a refugee camp while they wait for their new life in America to start. Ánh finds comfort in their warmhearted teacher, Miss Mary Ellen, but has trouble with learning to speak English.

All Ánh wants is to be able to say "thank you" to Miss Mary Ellen, but will the words ever stop getting stuck between their head and their voice? With a little inspiration from their grandmother—as well as the chance discovery of an adorable animal—Ánh will try to gather the courage to finally say their first word in a new language.

Exquisitely illustrated by Bao Luu, Ánh's New Word by Hanh Bui is a hopeful story of finding your voice, inspired by true events from the author's childhood.

Inspired by her first teacher at the refugee camp, Hanh Bui pursued a master’s in early childhood education and taught second grade before becoming a full-time mother to three children. Bui serves as co-chair of the Equity and Inclusion Team for the mid-Atlantic region of SCBWI, and has been featured in Highlights, Next Avenue and Forbes. She is also the author of The Yellow Áo Dài.

Bao Luu dreamed of becoming an artist as a child, and today his work as an illustrator focuses on bright, playful colors and unique textures. He was born and raised in Vietnam and currently lives near Houston, Texas.

"A gorgeous and heartfelt book about family, new beginnings and the power of finding just the right word." —Pat Zietlow Miller, New York Times-bestselling author of Be Kind

"A beautifully written, sweetly illustrated story about the challenge of living in a new country, the connection between student and teacher, and how the language of compassion and hope is universal." —Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole

"An uplifting and inspiring story based on the author's life, Ánh's New Word reminds us how one person's kindness can be the key to unlocking another's courage." —Christina Soontornvat, three-time Newbery Honoree

"A beautiful, compassionate story based on the author's own childhood experiences as a refugee learning English, Ánh’s New Word shows how kind and caring adults can help a child find their voice. I highly recommend it!" —Trudy Ludwig, author of The Invisible Boy and Brave Every Day