Like a Dandelion

by Huy Voun Lee

A poetic picture book tribute to the strength of immigrants, inspired by author-illustrator Huy Voun Lee's childhood experience of moving to the US as a Cambodian refugee.

Like feathery seeds, a young girl and her mother take flight, putting down roots in an adopted country. Soon they blossom in their new home, strong and beautiful among hundreds of others just like them.

Genres: Picture Books, Immigration, Asian American, Childrens, Family, Asian Literature, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2021

About the author

I was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. My family came to the United States in 1975 as refugees. We became citizens in 1983. I am a Children’s books illustrator. Sometimes, I also write my own books. Like most artist, I enjoy experimenting with different media. My favorite medium is paper, because it offers me the most versatility to create 2D or 3D art. If my works can make someone smile, then I think I succeeded my goal as an artist. I hope my works brighten your day!

Reviews

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply told #OwnVoices narrative comparing the refugee experience to a dandelion seed. Children often love these little flowers, and this book captures that idea, extolling the tenacious strength of the little flower to bloom in new places. A short authors note shows a picture of the author as a young child in a refugee camp, tying the story to her real experiences.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and simple immigration story that uses the metaphor of a dandelion to describe the process of immigration and naturalization. An author's note explains that dandelions are eurasian, have been used medicinally both in EUrope and Asia and are themselves naturalized immigrants. A photo of the author's family in Cambodian refugee camp is also included.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book that draws from the author's own immigrant experience. This Own Voices story draws readers in to see how this young girl copes with life in a new country. Though it alludes to difficulties, the overall tone is encouraging and supportive. The title weaves through the storyline as we see how resilient this child is and how welcoming and empathetic she is with others.

[Berkshire Athenaeum]

Inspired by her own immigration from a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand to the United States with her family when she was a child, author Huy Voun Lee tells the story of a mother and daughter moving to a new and unknown country. If you look closely, personal touches of the author can be observed, but even more important is any family who has immigrated or been refugees can see themselves as the family in the story. The personal touches of the author in the story include an actual photo of the author and her siblings as kids when they were refugees in Thailand. Also the girl in the story is holding and reading another book written by the author, and I enjoyed that detail. What I loved most of all in this book was the comparison of the little girl who is immigrating to a dandelion, putting down new roots and blossoming and growing in her new home after being just like a seed floating through the air. - Children's Library Staff

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students selected this book to discuss immigration, and they really appreciated the limited text and nuanced images. It also sparked a long conversation about dandelions as an apt metaphor for immigrants.

[BlackhamBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would be interesting to read this to a child and see if they like the story, or if it's a little more for adults who appreciate the imagery and symbolism. Inspired by the author's own experience, of immigrating from Cambodia to the United States, it features a young girl's experiences with repeated comparisons to a dandelion throughout. Simple statements (no rhyme) ... I have to wonder if some might be a little poetic/advanced for the picture book age (ie "and nourish ourselves through the winter slumber") ... but I guess it's also good exposure for young children to language.

The illustrations are simple line drawings, bright colors ... the author is the illustrator as well. In an ironic picture, it shows the young girl in the story reading a book, by this author! ;)

The Author's Note ... again aimed more at the adult reading the story to the child is profound, addressing how in the US, many consider dandelions pesky weeds, invading, which can be an expanded metaphor to how many in the US view immigrants.

I thought this was a sweet book ... I have a complicated relationship with the actual dandelions (love them overall but don't want them in the grass) but think I'm more welcoming to immigrants and refugees? At least I hope so.

[Anne Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetic writing and the illustrations in this book were beautifully simple. It expressed all that it needed to. The book is inspired by the author's own immigration story. The main character is a little Asian girl who has immigrated with her family to America. She teaches young readers about her experience of immigration. She shows readers that immigration was scary at first, but that eventually she made friends and felt at home in America. In beautiful poetry, she likens her journey to a dandelion blowing away in the wind. This book is great for young children and can help them to see what their immigrant friends may have experience. Immigrant children can see themselves in this and know they aren't alone in their experience.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful #ownvoices picture book centers around the immigrant experience. It was inspired by Lee’s own immigration to the United States (and she even included a photo of herself and her siblings when they were young). There’s the comparison of being blown away and replanted, just like a dandelion seed. It’s not always so easy to make the transition, but there’s so many wonderful things just waiting on the other side. The artist used Procreate and Photoshop to create the digital illustrations for this book.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!

[Gustavus Cliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the cover, I wasn't sure if I'd like this book (cliche, I know).
We pick up a LOT of library books (1,500+) based solely on the spine or cover.

I was pleasantly surprised that this is a kind and meaningful book.

It's a pleasure when we examine the end pages and title page and find it holds meaningful information - and in this case the title page is the only reference to life-before-USA. It was a great way to share that information, while technically not dedicating story pages to it.

[JK WSU · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars (It's OK). Published in 2021, this winner of the 2021 Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2021 About Crossing Borders, realistic fiction picture book is the simple story of a girl who emigrates, finds friendship, and redefines home. I can see myself using this book in early elementary classrooms to introduce the topic of immigration, as well as in social-emotional lessons on how we treat newcomers. I like how the story not only followed the girl's story, but added that once she had been in the country for a while, she could be welcoming to those who emigrate after her.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetic tribute to the bravery of immigrants and refugees was inspired by the author’s childhood experiences as a shy, Cambodian refugee. Vibrant, well-conceived illustrations depict how the girl and her mother put down strong roots in their adopted country, enduring harsh growing conditions much like the hardy dandelion in a gritty urban environment, which is such a fitting metaphor for this moving story.

[Marrin]

"Like feathery seeds, a young girl and her mother take flight, putting down roots in an adopted country. Soon they blossom in their new home, strong and beautiful among hundreds of others just like them."

This book was inspired by the author's experience of moving as a child from Cambodia to the United States.

Art - 1/1

Story - 1/1

Short phrases per page, good for younger readers. Excellent read-aloud.

Bonus: art features bunnies and bunnies are briefly mentioned in the text.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story told in metaphor about a little girl and her family immigrating to the United States. The use of a metaphor to tell their story makes this very abstract for children who would need lots of adult support to understand what all the different pieces represent. This would be good in a classroom where you were teaching about metaphors?!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet tale comparing the author's experience of coming to America as an immigrant child to that of the dandelion which starts as a seed on the wind and grows strong in the soil in which it lands. Highlights include an author's note explaining some of the history of dandelions and an illustration of of the main character reading the author's book In the Snow.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple, sweet story about a young girl and her mother who come to the United States from Cambodia. We see how they adjust to life here, finding a place to live and settling in. The young girl equates herself to a dandelion seed which has blown here as others blow here after her. She makes some new friends and starts to feel comfortable.

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like feathery seeds, a young girl and her mother take flight, putting down roots in an adopted country. Soon they blossom in their new home, strong and beautiful among hundreds of others just like them. . . A poetic tribute to the bravery of immigrants and refugees, inspired by the author's childhood experience of moving to the United States from Cambodia"--Provided by publisher.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 - Good use of a metaphor of the dandelion for immigrating with seeds flying though the air and taking root in a new place. Minimal text with just a sentence on a page.



Notes: mother-daughter story. Immigrant story. No country is mentioned within the text but back matter and author note share that author was in a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand and came to the US at age 6.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better for school-age children as it's a bit complex for the littles, of course. As always, I advise the parent or or other educator to share the back matter with the children. Rounded up, because, the more I think about, the more I appreciate the metaphor - and, no, I don't think it's difficult to understand as other reviewers have said.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book poem comparing moving to the US as a refugee to being dandelions: taking flight, taking root, making themselves a new home, and being useful (even though some consider them pesky weeds)

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book with simple text which tells about one little girl's *positive* immigrant experience when she moved to the US. I like that it shows the little girl and her new friend later welcoming another diverse newcomer.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a Cambodean girl who immigrates to the U.S. The story takes place over a year as the girl finds new friends, learns about school and home etc. Beautiful illustrations and an unashamed "selfie" from the author...

[Triston Dutschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a Dandelion is a tribute to the brave refugees and immigrants in the world. Having to leave your home can be scary and unwelcoming. However, this story shows that you can find your place anywhere you may find yourself. The book offers colorful visuals along with poem like sentences.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Like feathery seeds, we take flight, finding a new home even in the tiniest space.”

An eloquent picture book about the journey of an immigrant family coming to a new country and putting down roots.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a few words per page makes this good for younger readers, but there's plenty here for older readers to think about.

We see an Asian family move to the US and see how a child becomes part of the school and neighborhood communities.

[Stacy Natal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet Cambodian immigration story. The author uses the metaphor of a dandelion to describe the process partly because dandelions are eurasian and have been used medically in both places. While lovely, a lot has to be explained while reading this to children.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, poetic refugee story.

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

not enough to it, too vague

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A preschool and up book where a child's immigration journey is compared to the blossoming of a dandelion. simple words cute pictures

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this story of immigration using the Dandelion as a metaphor for acclimating to a new home!

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theme: moving, putting down roots, growing in your new place