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

by Hanh Bui, Bao Luu (illustrator)

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 heart-warming picture book based on the author's childhood. Many things are different for Ánh now that they've left Vietnam with their family. The weather is colder and they live in a communal barracks at a refugee camp while they wait for their new life in America to start. Ánh finds comfort in their warm-hearted teacher, Miss Mary Ellen, but has trouble with the foreign sounds of learning to speak English in class. All Ánh wants is to be able to say "thank you" out loud 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.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Cultural, Aapi

Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2024

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ánh is a Vietnamese refugee who is trying to learn English. This short picture book gives the reader insight as to what it must be like for those coming to America from other countries. *it is not political at all*

Such a sweet story of Ánh and her grandmother!

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this powerful picture book based on the author's own experiences, we meet Ánh, a little girl from Vietnam living with her family in a refugee camp in America. Ánh is in school and is learning English, and her grandmother is learning the language as well. Ánh wants to say the words, but sometimes she can't find her voice so she writes the words, thinks about them, and with the encouragement of her grandmother, she keeps practicing. An adorable reindeer sweater eventually leads to a connection with Miss Mary Ellen, Ánh's teacher, and Ánh speaks her first English word! This book includes back matter with a beautiful author's note (prepare for it to make you cry if you're an emotional person like me), photographs, and a glossary.

In an exploration of new situations (new country, new school, new student, new home, new language, etc.), this book will help all children to feel seen or to grow understanding and compassion. Highly recommended for all homes, schools, and libraries!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ánh's New World: A Story About Learning a New Language would reach readers 7-10 years, students coming from a foreign land, their classmates, and older adults who appreciate learning about other's transition to a new land. The topic in this book is how moving to a new country can make one unsure, feel lost, and long for a culture familiar to them. I selected this book because I interact with a lot of students from different countries. I am always looking for ways to help these students feel welcomed and understood. This book would be great in an ESL class for all levels to show they aren't alone in the way they feel. In a general classroom, this story would allow students to understand how their classmates feel, know they have more to say, and help teach understanding for all. This book could even be used in a foreign language class, to show it is normal to feel uncomfortable when learning a new language or culture. The author, Hanh Bui made me excited to be a teacher! I enjoyed how we are shown this little girl's journey of growth in a foreign land. We also are reminded that students who come from different backgrounds are smart but can lack confidence because they have to learn a new way of thinking, speaking, and a new culture. I love how we see it is normal to be nervous about learning a new skill, but if we are patience and understand of others it will help build confidence. Kindness around this little lady was priceless in helping her feel safe and helped her find her voice in America; reminding me as an educator that understanding is key to building a bond. I also loved the reminder that kindness, understanding, and support does matter, even if it was a simple act of kindness, or giving extra time and support.

[Tina Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anh lives at a refugee camp and attends the school to learn English. She has lots she wishes to say to the kind teacher, but the words get stuck. Her grandmother takes her to a store on the camp. Anh picks out a sweater & hears grandma bravely say “thank you” in English. Anh garners up courage to say her first English word. I wonder what it’ll be! Read this book to find out!

Back matter includes a note from the author, sharing her own experience at a refugee camp learning English and a short glossary of Vietnamese words.

Simple, colorful illustrations accurately display this diverse story and experience.

This story will resonate with English Language Learners, thinking about their first experiences in a new culture and language.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 179 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another inspired by true events.

Beautifully told story of the struggles refugees / immigrants have when they need to get over their fear to learn the language of their new country.

Touching and rather inspirational.

#book179of350 #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #booknerds #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #bookaddict #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahn and her grandmother have immigrated to a new country and she has to learn English at her new school. Ahn continuously finds herself stymied by shyness and lack of confidence when trying to pronounce English words. Her teacher tells her to take her time. Ahn takes comfort knowing that her grandmother struggles with English as well. When they visit the refugee camps thrift shop, Ahn finds a fabulous new sweater with a reindeer on it. She loves it so much that she is finally able to overcome her fear of speaking English.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book is based on her own experiences learning English! I liked that it wasn't an overly "deep" book about their refugee status, but rather the struggle and growth of the little girl trying to learn English with the assistance of her kind teacher. I have nothing against books about refugees, and have read many good and less good ones, but this book especially had a lovely tone and uplifting attitude which is sometimes difficult to come by for in young children's literature about topics like this. Nice illustrations, and well written.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was all about a little girl living in a Vietnamese refugee camp in the United States during the 1970's. She struggles with learning English and communicating with her teacher. This book is absolute gold. Not only is it beautifully written, but it also a great lesson on kindness to all people. The illustrations are completely digital. Some of them will tug at your heartstrings. I think that this book would be a great read for kids of all ages, not just K-3rd. I can see an ESL class LOVING this book! (Diamond 25-26)

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this was missing a page or ten at the end - though maybe there isn’t a way to wrap up learning English in a neat bow on the last page. Nonetheless, sweet story about life as refugees suitable for preschoolers (avoids all death/trauma, though Ánh’s parents are missing).

Bonus points for glossary with pronunciations and strong illustrations.

File under:
- Immigrant/ESL experience: pair with Home in a Lunchbox (Cherry Mo)
- country study: Vietnam
- history: Vietnam war
- apraxia of speech/stutter/speech disorders (as a parallel experience only)

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

      Based on the author’s real-life experience in a Vietnamese refugee camp in Pennsylvania, this sweet story is about a child’s new experiences and the kindness of teachers. A wonderful story about being in a new place, having to learn new language, and finding the bravery to use your voice. Great for AAPIH month and Teacher Appreciation Week.

[Vivian Kirkfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the author's actual lived experience, this inspiring story shows the difference one person can make. Child readers will connect with young Anh who struggles to learn English as a refugee from Vietnam. Encouraged by her first American teacher in the Fort Indiantown Gap camp in Pennsylvania, Anh finds the courage to say her 1st English word. Wonderfully child-friendly illustrations pair perfectly with the lyrical and heart-warming text.

[Benson Shum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anh's New Word by Hanh Bui and Bao Luu is a wonderful and heartfelt story about learning a new language. Anh left Vietnam with their family and live in the communal barracks at a refugee camp. Anh has a warmhearted teacher named, Miss Mary Ellen who encourages Anh with learning to speak English. With the help of and bravery and inspiration of his grandmother. Anh says his first word in a new language. A beautiful story inspired by the author's true events from childhood.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bui captures the challenge of learning an entire new language and culture. Readers see Anh and her grandmother struggle to speak English while knowing so much in their native Vietnamese. After watching her grandmother say "thank you" when she couldn't, she finds her courage and speaks her first word also. Lovely illustrations complete the story. I appreciate the supportive teacher and classmates.

[Louise Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ESL teacher in me just adores this picture book that builds empathy for English Learners whose words get trapped inside by a language barrier. I also appreciate the chance to peek at daily life inside a Vietnamese refugee camp from a child's perspective. Simple, sweet, and surprisingly relatable. Check it out!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is based on the the author's experience at a refugee camp at 8 years old and the kind teacher who taught her English. I loved this story, but my favorite part was reading the author's note about her grandmother, the camp, and reconnecting with her teacher as an adult. This sweet book is a tear-jerker that will give you all the warm fuzzies.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the process of learning a new language and building up the courage to try something when you're afraid of making a mistake. (And also about doing hard things together -- loved Ánh and her grandmother both being brave and working on English here.)

Backmatter suggests that this is a very light fictionalization of a true story from the author's childhood.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book about a young child's struggle to feel at home in their new country. With sweet text and adorable art, any child who is struggling with a new situation will find inspiration in ANH'S NEW WORD.

[Sharon Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anh's New Word gives us a peak into how a Vietnamese refugee family made it in America. The main character, Anh, is shy and afraid to speak English. She is encouraged by her teacher and finally says her first English word. This is a must read for refugee families and people of all backgrounds.

[Lesli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried. I know so many students who are also afraid to say new words. It hints at life in a refugee camp and Vietnam after the war without going into too much detail, so I think it is age-appropriate.

[Suma Subramaniam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story about a young immigrant refugee girl, Ánh, who learns her first new word in English. The story is inspired by the author's own experience with her teacher in a new school in a new country. The backmatter is tender and heartwarming.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute picture book on the power of a teacher and the struggles of learning a new language as a child and refugee. The afterword is also worth reading.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in great awe of how ÁNH'S NEW WORD shares such a hope-filled, heart-charged, and deeply personal story of a young girl steadily building up courage to learn a new language in her new home.