A visually stunning story of resilience and determination by an award-winning new author-illustrator team, perfect for back to school.

This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat wearing a little backpack and armed only with a single oar. On the way, he is confronted by giant crested waves, heavy rainfall and eerie forests where fear takes hold of him. Although daunted by the dark unknown, An realizes that he is not alone and continues to paddle. He knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination--one familiar to children all over the world.
 



 
Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien are married book creators who live and work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Their first book in the United States, My First Day, received five starred reviews and was selected as a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Find them at kaaillustration.com or @kaaillustration. View titles by Phùng Nguyên Quang
Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien are married book creators who live and work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Their first book in the United States, My First Day, received five starred reviews and was selected as a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Find them at kaaillustration.com or @kaaillustration. View titles by Huynh Kim Liên
Classroom Activities for My First Day

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

  • FINALIST | 2024
    California Young Reader Medal
  • SELECTION | 2022
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2022
    CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Texas 2x2 Reading List
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Chicago Public Library Best Books
"Enthralling, uplifting: a celebration of everyday heroes’ journeys in the quest for education and learning." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

“ A particularly propulsive, cinematic story.” —BookPage, starred review
 
“A lively journey that’s interesting in its own right…” —The Bulletin, starred review
 
Dazzle[s]…. Quang and Liên celebrate the beauty and wealth of the Mekong River.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review


 

About

A visually stunning story of resilience and determination by an award-winning new author-illustrator team, perfect for back to school.

This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat wearing a little backpack and armed only with a single oar. On the way, he is confronted by giant crested waves, heavy rainfall and eerie forests where fear takes hold of him. Although daunted by the dark unknown, An realizes that he is not alone and continues to paddle. He knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination--one familiar to children all over the world.
 



 

Author

Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien are married book creators who live and work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Their first book in the United States, My First Day, received five starred reviews and was selected as a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Find them at kaaillustration.com or @kaaillustration. View titles by Phùng Nguyên Quang
Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien are married book creators who live and work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Their first book in the United States, My First Day, received five starred reviews and was selected as a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Find them at kaaillustration.com or @kaaillustration. View titles by Huynh Kim Liên

Guides

Classroom Activities for My First Day

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Awards

  • FINALIST | 2024
    California Young Reader Medal
  • SELECTION | 2022
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2022
    CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Texas 2x2 Reading List
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Chicago Public Library Best Books

Praise

"Enthralling, uplifting: a celebration of everyday heroes’ journeys in the quest for education and learning." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

“ A particularly propulsive, cinematic story.” —BookPage, starred review
 
“A lively journey that’s interesting in its own right…” —The Bulletin, starred review
 
Dazzle[s]…. Quang and Liên celebrate the beauty and wealth of the Mekong River.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review


 

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