Nhung N. Tran-Davies came to Canada with her family in 1979 as part of the Vietnamese refugee resettlement process. Now a physician and advocate for social justice through education, Tran-Davies lives outside of Edmonton, Alberta. Tran-Davies’ first book for children is the self-published (with Friesen Press) Daddy is a Conundrum! (2012), illustrated by Stephanie Parker.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Doll
Illustrated by Ravy Puth.
Toronto: Second Story Press, 2021.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Ma misses the sun, warmth and colors of their faraway homeland, but her daughter sees magic in everything — the clouds in the winter sky, the “firework” display when she throws an armful of snow into the air, making snow angels, tasting snowflakes. And in the end, her joy is contagious. Home is where family is, after all.
A young girl and her family arrive in an airport in a new country. They are refugees, migrants who have travelled across the world to find safety. Strangers greet them, and one of them gifts the little girl with a doll. Decades later, that little girl is grown up, and she has the chance to welcome a group of refugees who are newly arrived in her adopted country. To the youngest of them, a little girl, she gifts a doll, knowing it will help make her feel welcome. Inspired by the author’s own experience as a child refugee, when a stranger’s wonderful gift made such a difference that she was determined to repeat it years later.
Fiction (Young adult)
A Grain of Rice
Vancouver: Tradewind Books, 2018.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Ma misses the sun, warmth and colors of their faraway homeland, but her daughter sees magic in everything — the clouds in the winter sky, the “firework” display when she throws an armful of snow into the air, making snow angels, tasting snowflakes. And in the end, her joy is contagious. Home is where family is, after all.
Thirteen-year-old Yen and her family have survived the ravages of the Vietnam War and the ensuing famine and persecution. After a flood destroys their village, her family decides to take the ultimate risk on the high seas for a chance at a better life.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Green Papayas
Illustrated by Gillian Newland.
Leaside, ON: Red Deer Press, 2023.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
While Oma (grandmother) lies in her hospital bed, Mama reminds them all of Oma’s courage in shepherding her family through war and across the ocean to safety. After Oma passes away, they cherish the memory of this remarkable woman, and the sacrifices she made to ensure that her children, and her grandchildren, would be free to dream.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Ten Cents a Pound
Illustrated by Josée Bisaillon.
Toronto: Second Story Press, 2018.
PZ7.1 .T736 T46 2018
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Ma misses the sun, warmth and colors of their faraway homeland, but her daughter sees magic in everything — the clouds in the winter sky, the “firework” display when she throws an armful of snow into the air, making snow angels, tasting snowflakes. And in the end, her joy is contagious. Home is where family is, after all.
A young girl is torn by her desire to stay home with her family and the familiarity of their village, and her desire to go to school and discover the world beyond the mountains that surround them. Every time the girl insists that she will stay, her mother repeats that she must go—that there is more to life than labor in the coffee fields. Their loving exchange reveals the struggles and sacrifices that they will both have to make for the sake of the young girl’s future. The sweet, simple text captures a mother’s love and her wish for a life of opportunity for her daughter.
Links
Nhung N. Tran-Davies personal website
Publisher Red Deer Press
Publisher Second Story Press
Publisher Tradewind Books