Welcome to the MindShift Podcast where we dive into the future of learning and how we raise our kids. I’m Ki Sung. This month marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon, the end of the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese-American community here has grown, but their representation in children’s books is finally catching up. In today’s episode, we’ll hear from children’s book illustrator Minnie Phan, who worked on the book, Simone. The story of Simone is set in California and follows a young girl forced to make tough decisions during a wildfire evacuation. Minnie Phan handled the illustrations, while Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen wrote the text.
Minnie Phan shares how the idea for Simone came about during the chaotic year of 2020 with the pandemic and wildfires hitting the Bay Area. She realized that kids were processing their emotions through art, just like she was. So, she created a book about wildfires and a girl using her sketchbook to make sense of it all. When her agent suggested working with a writer, Minnie immediately thought of Viet Thanh Nguyen, one of her literary heroes. Surprisingly, Viet agreed to collaborate after a quick pitch, and the rest is history.
The book, Simone, is not just about a girl facing the challenges of climate change, but also about the power of art in connecting with oneself and others. It’s a story that goes beyond the fear of a threatening fire to show how art can bridge gaps between people going through similar experiences. Minnie and Viet’s collaboration highlights the importance of storytelling and art in processing difficult situations.
Reflecting on her own childhood, Minnie recalls how books like “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” helped her express her feelings. Growing up in a Vietnamese immigrant family, she didn’t have many avenues for communication, but books provided a way to connect and understand her emotions. This personal experience drives Minnie to create diverse and representative children’s books that resonate with young readers facing similar challenges.
Discussing the impact of diversity in children’s literature, Minnie emphasizes the need for stories that speak to the child experience and offer healing and forgiveness. She mentions books like “Wishes” and “The Best We Could Do” as excellent examples of Vietnamese American representation in literature. As the Vietnamese diaspora continues to evolve, Minnie sees a growing creative power within the community, pushing beyond the narratives of war and trauma to embrace joy, potential, and the future.
In a heartfelt journey back to Vietnam, Minnie shares how reconnecting with her roots and family history through art transformed her perspective. This experience of healing and understanding her parents’ struggles in a new light fueled her passion for storytelling and art. Through her work, Minnie aims to uplift the voices of the Vietnamese diaspora and inspire others to embrace their creativity and tell their stories.
As the conversation wraps up, Minnie recommends a variety of books featuring Vietnamese American characters, highlighting the richness and diversity of the community’s experiences. From stories of coming out and cultural traditions to personal memoirs and trailblazing illustrators, these books offer a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese American literature.
Join us on MindShift as we continue to explore innovative ideas in education and beyond. Don’t miss out on future episodes by hitting follow on your favorite podcast app. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of MindShift, where we celebrate the power of storytelling and art in shaping our understanding of the world.
