In this children's book on immigration, a Vietnamese American girl looks forward to the special day when "see you again soon" is finally here, and she gets to return to her family in Vietnam for a visit!
"This speaks to the many directions in which love flows, across oceans and through time." —Kao Kalia Yang, award-winning author of The Rock in My Throat
Family culture shapes so much of who we are.
In this kids' book about family love, Châu follows a "train of thoughts" about all her special traditions, relationships, and memories from growing up in Vietnam. She is counting down the days until she and her family are under the same roof.
This children's book about family honors culture, memory, and the deep emotional ties we carry with us, no matter where we go. It celebrates the strength of family and the richness of cultural heritage.
Ngân Huỳnh is an illustrator and designer who left Vietnam and moved to the United States when she was twelve—leaving one home to build another. She created this Vietnamese children's book as a reminder to immigrant kids like her that they can always hold onto their memories. Just because you are physically apart doesn't mean you lose your memories, heritage, and language.
Inside this immigration children's book, discover:
a gentle exploration of immigration from a child's perspective
reassurance that distance doesn't weaken family bonds
a celebration of cultural heritage, language, and memory
a focus on reunion and belonging
While there are stories in children's literature that focus on the challenges of leaving home, When We're Under the Same Roof tells a different story—one about returning.
"A touching story about what it means to come home and how our hearts can stay connected across time and space." —Molly Beth Griffin, author of Ten Beautiful Things
Ngân Huỳnh [ng-uhn][hwin] is a Vietnamese illustrator and designer based in Minneapolis. Their love of mythology, fairy tales, and family storytelling inspired them to turn everyday moments into captivating narratives.
In addition to designing various brand identities and websites, Ngân has also illustrated for many publications, including Issue 26 of the literary zine Paranoid Tree and the Amazon bestseller Blue Marble Review: Anthology Volume 2. When We're Under the Same Roof is their first children's book, inspired by their childhood and Vietnamese culture. They are an alum of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD).
When not creating art on their tablet or sketchbook, you can find Ngân immersed in a new graphic novel or forcing their two cats to sit together cutely for a photo.
"Charmingly illustrated and written, this colorful and upbeat book celebrates culture, family, and friendship, while hinting at the merging worlds of immigrant children." — Bao Phi, author of the Caldecott Honor Book A Different Pond
"When We're Under the Same Roof is a touching story about the strength of family bonds across distance and the excitement of coming back together with loved ones. Many kids will see their own experiences reflected here, as Châu eagerly prepares to return home to Vietnam to visit relatives. But the story will speak to a wider audience as well—it is for anyone who has had to part from family and friends, and for anyone who's felt the nervous thrill of returning to a beloved place and reuniting with special people. In a time when lots of families are facing separation and lots of children are coping with challenging transitions, Huỳnh's story can provide a jumping-off point for conversations about what it means to come home and how our hearts can stay connected across time and space." — Molly Beth Griffin, author of Ten Beautiful Things, Rings of Heartwood: Poems on Growing
"When We're Under the Same Roof is a story of a family's return to each other. It speaks to the many directions in which love flows, across oceans and through time. Huỳnh's depictions of a Vietnamese family are filled with intimate details that bring to life the vast culture of her home with tenderness." — Kao Kalia Yang, award-winning author of The Rock in My Throat
"For immigrant families, time and space often feel far apart, leaving us with a sense of longing. When We're Under the Same Roof is an endearing reminder to cherish every moment with our loved ones and celebrate our culture and family traditions." — Thuba Nguyễn, early childhood education specialist and author of My Daddy Tells Me
