From the Tops of the Trees by Kao Kalia Yang and Rachel Wada - ADVISABLE

From the Tops of the Trees by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Rachel Wada. PICTURE BOOK Carolrhoda (Lerner). 2022 $18.00 9781541581302 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Young Mai was born in the refugee camp, and asks her father asks what it's like outside the gate. Her father climbs to the top of a tall tree with Mai on his back. Mai she can see the surrounding towns and countryside. Based on the author's own refugee experience, From the Tops of the Trees includes the photo taken by her mother when she and her father were at the top of the tree. 

 A realistic account of refugee life from the perspective of a 3 or 4-year-old. She hears the old women talk about the war but doesn't understand what it is. When food rations are delivered she doesn't understand what the soldiers are talking about but behaves as she's been told to do. An interesting story about life in a refugee camp. Includes a glossary, map, and author's note. The family is Hmong, and the camp is in Vietnam. The story takes place in 1985. 

Lisa Librarian