Simone

Description: "When a wildfire threatens Simone's home, she and Mâa must rush to take shelter. Guided by her own creativity, and buoyed by Mâa's memories of her childhood in Viòãet Nam, Simone navigates her way through an all-too-common crisis. This powerful story, straddling two generations and two countries, shows how communities come together in tough times, and how the youngest can imagine the path to a better future"--

Review Quotes: A Best Picture Books of 2024 -- Bookshop.org
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Picture-Book Conversation Starter of 2024
A School Library Journal Best Picture Book 2024
A Tattered Cover Bookstore Picture Book of the Month
2025 Kansas NEA Reading Circle List

★ A book one doesn't see coming, Simone glows like a small, steady flame of childhood agency." - School Library Journal, STARRED

★"Stunning.... a powerful, multilayered depiction of an increasingly common situation." - Kirkus Reviews, STARRED

"[A] soft, tender picture book ... reminding readers of the hope found in connecting with and leaning on others....Exciting reading...that celebrate[s] the Asian American experience." -
San Francisco Chronicle

"A thoughtful and emotionally intense family story ....Phan's colored pencil and watercolor palette gorgeously interprets the book's themes....The illustrations combine with Nguyen's words--"It's up to us"--to offer a vision of hope and healing in the wake of generations of displacement." - Book Page

"A deeply caring book." -- Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse#8 Production / School Library Journal

"A touching story about having to leave your home in haste.... shows the importance of art in our lives in the most difficult moments. Absolutely gorgeous illustrations." - Katie Fransen, The Novel Neighbor, St. Louis, MO

"★★★★★ Kids will be enthralled with the real life drama, and how a child has a part to play in keeping hope....Perfect for readers who like realistic stories, especially about disasters, for ages 5-9. Great for classroom." --Youth Services Book Review

"So full of heart and kindness and joy. I was so moved...the illustrations are beautiful and the words flow so neatly....This one is winning awards. I'm sure of it." -- Lindy Wilson, librarian

"Touching." - Booklist

"Evocative....Phan's inventive illustrations ... introduces a full rainbow spectrum of experience." - Publishers Weekly

"Addresses climate change, displacement caused by natural disaster, and Vietnamese history and culture...with the most gorgeous illustrations... the author addresses everything beautifully.....A book you just must check out!" - diversify.our.parenting