Brainstorm 336: Even More Thai Books

Today is Thai day at our international school in Bangkok. A day for our school community to celebrate the culture of the country we reside in. In honor of Thai day, I have 4 newer books that feature Thai characters, are created by Thai authors/illustrators, and/or are set in Thailand. To see some other recommended Thai-related books, check out Brainstorm 263 and Brainstorm 294 as well. Click on the titles to see my full review of each book including any. Content notes/trigger warnings.

Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani, ill. by Dow Phumiruk

In a nutshell: A group of soccer-loving boys on a Thai island get creative to find a place to play.

More info: A slightly fictionalized retelling of how the boys of Koh Panyee's love for soccer and absence of playable land drove them to create their own floating field and eventually become regional champs.

Extra thoughts: This is an interesting mostly-true story (with I’m guessing imagined dialogue and some events condensed that move it into fiction) with some fascinating notes from the author and illustrator. I love that the illustrator for this is Thai and how that shows in the illustrations.

Target readers: Highly Factual Fiction Fans, Soccer Lovers, Problem Solving Story Fans, Thailand Setting Fans, Picture Book Readers

Continental Drifter by Kathy Macleod

In a nutshell: A graphic novel memoir of a Thai American girl who felt split between her Thai and American worlds.

More info: Kathy shares about growing up not sure where she belonged. Her mom was Thai, her dad was American. They lived in Bangkok, Thailand, and she went to an international school. She didn't feel totally at home in Bangkok, so she was counting down the days to their summer trip to Maine and her first summer camp experience. She was sure that camp was where she would fit in. But reality was a bit different.

Extra thoughts: This is a totally typical, highly-relatable, third culture kid/biracial kid experience summed up in words and pictures excellently.

Target readers: Graphic Novel Fans, Memoir Fans, TCK Story Fans, Biracial Kid Story Fans, Search for Belonging Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers (of interest to YA too)

Gabby Gets It Together (PAWS, #1) written, colored, and lettered by Nathan Fairbairn, ill. by Michele Assarasakorn

In a nutshell: A group of pet-less animal lovers start a dog walking business, which tests their friendship.

More info: Gabby, Priya, and Mindy all love animals but none of them can have pets for one reason or another. They decide to start a dog walking business to satisfy their pet cravings and also earn some money. But will their friendship last trying to run a business together?

Extra thoughts: Like any group project, the PAWS pet-sitting business requires a lot of communication and the girls learn that the hard way. I like that they do end up in a much healthier place and each one learns something about herself as well as her friends. I also liked the Vancouver setting which realistically lends itself to a multicultural group of friends: Gabby appears to be Black/Thai Canadian (the illustrator is also of Thai heritage), Priya is Indian Canadian, and Mindy is Korean Canadian.

Target readers: Animal Lovers, Friendship Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Character Growth Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers

Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice: a Thai Comic Cookbook by Christina De Witte and Mallika Kauppinen

In a nutshell: A graphic novel cookbook introducing Thai foods and cooking methods from a Thai author and illustrator.

More info: The nutshell says it all.

Extra thoughts: This is an easy to follow graphic novel cookbook that covers a good range of Thai dishes. I’ve lived in Thailand almost 20 years and I still learned some things from this about the dishes I see regularly. I like that the authors introduce themselves and share brief bios of themselves too.

Target readers: Foodies, Graphic Novel Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Cookbook Fans, Thai Food Lovers, YA & Adult Readers (though approachable to Middle Grade too)