Guest Post: Libraries and Librarians Enrich Lives Far Beyond Books by Hanh Bui
Today, we are pleased to host Hanh Bui, author of two upcoming books for children. Hanh reached out to me about possibly saying something about the debut some refugee children owe to libraries. I figured she could say it far better than I ever could.
As a refugee child, my family and I did not have a home library or extra money for special outings. But libraries were free, safe, and welcoming. When I first visited a library in America and could not speak English, the librarians patiently helped me learn how to use the card catalog. My first friend in my new neighborhood had shown me her Frog and Toad book, and I was delighted to find a copy in the library. Even though I couldn’t read the English words, I loved the illustrations. After all, frogs are lucky in Vietnam. I did not know at the time that one was a frog and the other, a toad. I thought they were both frogs and believed that the book was doubly lucky. And as newcomers, I felt we needed luck.
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When I showed my grandmother the books I borrowed from the library, she was so surprised that I could take books home without paying for them. She loved the art in the Frog and Toad books just as much as I did, and smiled thinking of the lucky frogs. I practiced reading aloud to her as best as I could, then translated the story into Vietnamese for her. As I brought home more books, she wanted to be sure I did not misplace any, so she sewed a special sack from a pair of worn Levi’s jeans that belonged to my grandfather. While I was visiting the library, my grandparents spent their weekends making our first house in America a home. My grandfather painted the walls blue to remind us of the oceans of Nha Trang, the place where I was born. My grandmother planted her favorite herbs and vegetables in our new backyard garden just like she did in Vietnam. Even when we were apart, my denim library sack helped me to feel connected with both of my grandparents.
Starting over in a new country had its challenges. Sometimes I was teased for the way I looked or bullied for the way I spoke English. Some children at school taunted me for wearing the same clothes over and over again. Most of my clothes were donated or purchased from the thrift store. The library was a safe haven from the hardships of being different. The librarians saw me, not my secondhand clothes or that I was quiet and shy. I may not have remembered all of the librarians’ names, but I recognized kindness. We shared a love of books which is universal. Mrs. Miller, a classmate’s mom, also volunteered at the library. She always greeted me with a warm smile and a stack of books she thought I’d enjoy reading. Often among the books was a Frog and Toad or a fairytale princess book. She also introduced me to books with playful puppies, beautiful butterflies, and sensational sea animals, as well as biographies about courageous girls like Helen Keller. My world was made bigger and richer with my visits to the library.
I had two composition books, one for the English words I wanted to learn and one for drawings. I jotted down English names of the children I saw in books to practice pronouncing later. I also spent hours sketching images from the books I borrowed from the library. I especially loved drawing princesses and crafting my own paper dolls of these characters. I designed new ball gowns and pretty Vietnamese áo dàis for the dolls. Most of the princesses I saw in books had hair the color of sugarcane stalks. Snow White was the only character I saw in books with dark hair like mine. I often associated things I liked with the foods I missed from my homeland. Snow White’s hair was shiny and smooth like my favorite black grass jelly dessert.
Many of the books I borrowed lacked diverse characters, but I learned how to read from the simple, repetitive text and enjoyed the characters’ adventures. Today, I am grateful to see more books written and illustrated by diverse authors and artists with protagonists from all different cultural backgrounds and experiences. The work of librarians and teachers is more important than ever, especially as we are facing increasing challenges from book banning and must advocate to have our stories shared. It is my hope that all children can see themselves and their experiences represented in the books they read. Librarians are allies for book creators of all backgrounds and help to make books accessible to the children who need them.
I hope my words of gratitude will let librarians know that their work is important and may also be life-changing. Personally, the librarians who kindly helped me throughout my youth nurtured in me a love of books and broadened my world beyond my humble beginnings. If I wanted to travel to a faraway enchanted fairy tale land, all I had to do was open a book and enter a world of endless possibilities. Now as an adult and a children’s book author, I feel it is my responsibility to continue to support our librarians and libraries. I cannot wait to see my debut picture book, The Yellow Áo Dài, in the hands of children and on library bookshelves. I will always be grateful to Mrs. Miller and the librarians who laid the foundation for my love of books and my life’s work.
About the Author
Inspired by her first teacher at the refugee camp, Hanh Bui pursued a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and taught second grade before becoming a full-time mother. She also served as a Development Officer for Senhoa Foundation in support of women and children who survived human trafficking in Cambodia, and has served on boards supporting children and parents in building community. Hanh’s commitment to celebrating her heritage includes giving presentations in school visits about her refugee experience to children studying immigration as part of their school curriculum. She serves as co-chair of Equity and Inclusion Team for SCBWI, Mid-Atlantic region and has been featured in Highlights Children’s Magazine, Next Avenue and Forbes. She is the author of The Yellow Áo Dài (Spring 2023)and Ánh’s New Word (2024),both forthcoming from Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends.
Filed under: Guest Posts
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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Vivian Kirkfield says
It’s always a joy to read about positive refugee experiences and to know that the kindness of one person can have a long-lasting and life-changing impact. I’m honored to have seen Hanh’s picture book stories – and I’m thrilled that children will soon be able to read her precious and inspiring words. Thank you so much, Betsy, for being a strong supporter of children’s books and their creators – and for using your fabulous blog to tell the world about them. And thank you, Hanh, for sharing your experiences, your stories, and your grateful heart.
Hanh Bui says
Thank you, Vivian for lifting up others with your generosity and kind guidance. Your positivity is infectious, your heart is welcoming and your words are inspiring.
Vivian Kirkfield says
Our kidlit community is incredible because it is filled with people like you and that inspires me and makes it easy for me to be positive and welcoming.
Jolene Gutiérrez says
As a school librarian, this means everything. Hanh, I love what a powerful place libraries held (and still hold) in your life. I cried at the thought of your grandmother cherishing the library books you brought home so much that she created a special sack to protect the books. And I absolutely adore that you were surrounded by loving, supportive people who opened your eyes to the world of libraries, language, and books. Thank you so much for sharing your stories with all of us so we can be reminded of the ripple effects of kindness. I love that your books will soon join Frog and Toad and other classics on the library shelves! I can’t wait to add them to my library’s shelves. <3 Congratulations!
sharon k Solomon says
Hanh Bui captured the special comfort and magic I feel when I’m in a library. To this day, libraries are sanctuaries and librarians saints. As a young immigrant, they were even more necessary and special to Hanh. Thank you for posting this great article!
Amy Benoit says
Hanh!!!
Our school, unfortunately, doesn’t have a librarian on staff – but we do have a grande library and shelves filled with beautiful stories for students and educators. Wish I could have known you in those early days in America. I would have told you I liked your sweater and that one day, you would grow up to write beautiful worlds.
P.S.Thank you for our virtual meet-up today!
The world needs more kindness and…books.
Amy Benoit says
*meant to write “words” in the first paragraph (although worlds works too).
Ellen L. Ramsey says
A wonderful, thoughtful post. I too thank librarians, both school librarians and community librarians, for creating welcoming places for kids and for being interested in our lives as well as the books we liked to read. I still dream about my elementary school library and community library!
Molly says
This is such a kind and insightful post. Too often, we forget that librarians are so much more than “keepers of the Dewey Decimal system.” They change lives and not only make the world a better place, but they also make it a manageable and livable place for many people. Hanh identifies one of many librarians’ most important skills when she writes, “…the librarians saw me.” Being seen is key to letting someone know they matter and belong. I can’t wait to read Hanh’s books, which are sure to make many, many children feel seen, accepted and welcomed!
Hanh Bui says
Dear friends,
Thank you for these heartwarming messages and words of affirmation. I appreciate your thoughtful comments and openness to my refugee experiences. Your kind words help my younger self and many others like me feel seen and know that our experiences matter. It is as if you were beside little me all along as friends and helpers. Thank you for helping me share my gratitude to librarians—the ones who made a difference in my life and those who continue to do the important work of sharing the joy of discovering books.
❤️Hanh
Gail Broussard says
Oh Hanh your words certainly will let librarians know that their work is very important. As a retired school librarian I have always felt that the library is essential in enhancing the classroom learning by making it more fun and meaningful through literature. It is always encouraging to hear a thank you from a student or parent. Your words go beyond that thank you in giving so much detail about the impact of the library and librarians on your life. Thank you for your words and congratulations to you for now making a contribution to the books to be read in libraries. I am looking forward to reading them.
Gail Broussard says
Hanh your words certainly will let librarians know that their work is very important. As a retired school librarian I have always felt that the library is essential in enhancing the classroom learning by making it more fun and meaningful through literature. It is always encouraging to hear a thank you from a student or parent. Your words go beyond that thank you in giving so much detail about the impact of the library and librarians on your life. Thank you for your words and congratulations to you for now making a contribution to the books to be read in libraries. I am looking forward to reading them.
Vienna says
What a wonderful article! The library holds a special place in my heart as well. Nothing made me as happy as returning home each week with a fresh stack of 50 books to read. Whenever times were hard, I could disappear into a story. And now that I have my own little one, I love seeing the joy on his face when he shows me what new books he has checked out on his library days 😊