A Different Pond (Fiction Picture Books)

A Caldecott Honor–winning picture book for ages 6-8 about a boy, his father, and the quiet moments that shape a family’s story.

Early in the morning, a boy and his father head to a small pond in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to fish before the long workday begins. They are not fishing for fun; they are fishing for food. As they wait for a bite, the boy’s father tells stories about a different pond in Vietnam, where he grew up. Between casts and quiet conversations, the boy begins to understand his father’s past, his family’s journey, and the sacrifices parents make for their children.

Written by acclaimed poet Bao Phi ( My Footprints , You Are Life ) and illustrated by Thi Bui, this powerful and moving picture book explores family, immigration, and growing up between two cultures.

More About A Different Pond :

Winner of a Caldecott Honor and multiple other book awards. A powerful own-voices story about family, immigration, and resilience. Ideal for classroom discussions about history, family stories, and empathy.

Winner of the Caldecott Honor, Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor, Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, and the Minnesota Book Award, A Different Pond is a quiet, powerful story that stays with readers long after the last page.