I am reading and reviewing this book after being gifted it as an eARC through NetGalley. My opinions and thoughts are honest and my own.

All children should feel celebrated in all aspects of their identity.

This illustrated poem applauds the complex identities of children of immigrants and refugees. This book, written in response to the rise of hate crimes against Asian people that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, is a reminder to Asian children that there is hope. They “are life.”

Personally, I have to read any picture book that includes an illustrated turtle. The colorful and vibrant vibe of the art matches the hopefulness of the poem. I’m impressed with how the author, while sparking positive feelings about life, tackles some difficult themes, especially for children. Racism is a crucial topic to speak about with all age groups, and I think this book could be an important addition to the conversation.

“You are not a virus. You are a seed.”

This is another book that I think could benefit both children and adult readers. I will be picking up the other children’s picture books written by the poet, Bao Phi. I’ll also be looking into the illustrator, Hannah Li’s, other work.
And for everyone who needs to hear this: “You are not a burden.”

This poem celebrates of all things (and people) Asian American. In a time when Asian American Pacific Islander hate is on the rise, this book values those with an Asian American Pacific Islander heritage - whether they be citizens or not and reminds all of us that we are connected and belong.

Great read! Gorgeous illustrations pair with a wonderful story that will keep readers inspired and engaged.

What a beautiful book! I love the vibrant, gorgeous illustrations that underscore the message for children, particularly Asian children that they are not invisible. This would be a great addition to any home or children's school library.

Especially vibrant, top-notch illustrations in a style that feels refreshing… And they offer helpful explanation for the poetic descriptions. The writing is great, moving.

Beautiful vibrant illustrations paired with an important message. The lyrical text makes for a great read aloud.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Very cute kids book, really loved the artwork and art style! would recommend

This book has a good message and nice art, but it fails to have playful enough content to engage young children. It seems more geared towards adult caregivers than young readers.

This book is so uplifting! It’s essentially a poem celebrating the children of immigrants and refugees, especially those of the AAPI community.


This book is so colorful and vibrant - full of LIFE! There’s a little line that I think children would giggle at, and a reference to Dance Dance Revolution. This book is full of representation (cultures, nationalities, race, and abilities, same sex parents)

I’d say this book is for the kids who are aware of the world around them, those who have experienced biases against them due to their family’s immigration status. Specifically, this book is for the children of AAPI, who need this, especially in the time of all the anti-AAPI mentalities that have occurred.

There was so much in the illustrations of this book. There was something to find in every page with all of the hidden images. I think kids would find this as a fun game.

I really like this book. It was very sweet, and hopeful.

I would recommend this book to my friends with young children.
Overall: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5

Content age level: parent’s discretion, but I think it can go beyond the K-3 audience level. The writing might not be for anyone above 10, or maybe even 8 - I’m not sure what kids read, but the content is definitely a conversation starter.

A beautiful children's book expressing the value of being an immigrant, migrant, adopted child or refugee in a new country. The illustrations are captivating and the words are lovely.

This is a beautiful poem written in response to the anti-Asian violence that has always existed and that has been flaring up especially fiercely lately. It's a lovely affirmation to children, especially those who are immigrants and refugees, that they were the cherished, precious dreams of their ancestors and valuable, wonderful people in their own right. The art is absolutely stunning, full of color and detail and energy. Lots of different people and families are featured, so many readers can see themselves on the page.

Where this might get a bit tricky is finding the appropriate audience. The text is highly metaphorical, full of nuance and abstract ideas. While this looks like a picture book for small children, a 4 year old may appreciate the tone and rhythm of the words but won't "get" much of what's being said. Middle grades kids who can begin to grasp the concepts may overlook this thinking it's for little kids. An adult reading partner may need to encourage older readers to pick this up, but it's well worth a read!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

A beautifully illustrated children’s book about the joy and importance of embracing identity and culture. Uplifting and empowering.

This is a beautiful book that celebrates diversity, identity and various Asian cultures. It also highlights anti-Asian hate and erasure of that violence that Asian Americans have experienced. I love the illustrations, which are vibrant and full of life. The text is unique and takes time to get used to it, but commendable regardless. An important read for all children!

I bought this book because I loved A Different Pond so much. This book is beautifully illustrated. Its intended audience should be grade 4 and up to help them understand the message and symbolism. This is an important message, particularly post-pandemic.

While I know I wasn’t the target audience for this book, I couldn’t help but love it from the bottom of my heart. This is a wholesome and diverse own-voices poem-turned-story by Bao Phi. The story is full of heart-wrenching lines, and affirms that children are beautiful, precious gifts - not invaders, burdens or viruses! I love that the entire Asian diaspora are included, not just East Asians. The visual diversity was amazing, from the Bollywood scene, and burning incense, to people protesting in the street! Black and Brown bodies were aplenty, as well! The illustrations by Hannah Li are breathtaking and really tie the story together.

The author’s note is also worth mentioning, as it mentions the increase in Anti-Asian violence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an important book for Asian-American children, and we need to remember that the Asian experience isn’t restricted to small checkboxes. The Asian experience contains multitudes.

Thanks to Capstone and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Beautiful picture book intended to uplift and empower. Gorgeous illustrations. Impactful authors note at the end about the rise of anti-Asian violence during the covid pandemic. Absolute must purchase for our library.

I received an electronic ARC from Capstone through NetGalley.
Bao Phi shares a gentle and affirming story of belonging. They capture the many ways children are part of all aspects of life. They belong where they are and they can develop any talents they have. A much needed story at this time. The illustrations capture heritage and current life to weave support and belief with the text.

I must say this book is such a moving inspiration for our children to live in a harmony and love each other no matter where they are from. The author finds that we have to celebrate our differences and poems are a good effort and fun to show our children what world we are living.

I love the poems. Brief and clear. The illustrations also show children of different races and abilities. It is inspiring. I give 5 ⭐️. Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for providing an earc. Watch out for the pub day on this September 1st.

An absolutely stunning book. The illustrations were so beautiful and so bright and COLORFUL. They really did bring life to the story. And the story! Ugh! EMOTIONAL. INSPIRATIONAL! So, so incredible. The erasure of xenophobia in America, particularly during the pandemic, has been so difficult to watch happen, so it’s important for stories like this to exist.

This book reads like a love poem to a child. The love, dreams, and hopes that a parent has for a child is clearly expressed throughout this poem. The visuals add life to the poem. From the first page to the last the reader is immersed in this love story. This book would make an awesome read or read aloud for any age level. Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for the early access through ARC.