Bibliotherapy-the use of reading materials for help in solving personal problems or for psychiatric therapy. (Merriam-Webster)
Ever since I learned to decipher the meanings hidden within the letters and words strung together on a page, the magic of storybooks have been my true, constant, reliable companion. Looking back, every phase of my life has closely been connected to a kindred book-of-sorts; a book into whose pages I seek comfort, consolation and even confirmation. I recognize parts of myself in these characters. I empathize with the trials and tribulations they struggle with. I cringe at their follies for I can relive similar episodes in my own life. I celebrate their triumphs and achievements. And in doing so, I've learned to converse truthfully with myself and to accept myself with all my idiosyncrasies. Dogs may be man's best friend, but books are my forever companions.
As a tribute to the late legendary children's author, Beverly Cleary, who has a dear place in my heart for the role she played in unlocking my love for reading, I've decided to put together a series of books that have walked with me, made me laugh, made me cry, and helped me navigate my own path.
Anne of Green Gables
A is for Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.
I still vividly remember the moment Anne came into my life. It was the summer after seventh grade. The scorching midday sun bleached the outside world in blinding white light. I was in a friend's air-conditioned, master bedroom on the second floor of her house. Nonchalantly she handed me a thick paperback, "I think you'll like this one." She had no idea how pivotal that little book was at that moment in my life.
Like millions of other scrawny, awkward girls around the world and through the ages, Anne with an "e" captured my heart immediately. She inspired me to embrace my quirkiness and let my imagination run wild. No matter how many times I've read books within this series, my heart still makes a little leap each time I feel the need to slip back into the magical world of Anne of Green Gables.
Not only did I fall in love with L.M. Montgomery's characters, she hypnotized me with her writing; her prose like poetry mesmerizing my senses. I would find myself getting lost in the music of her words. I would stop reading for the plot. Instead, I would read out loud beautifully crafted lines from the book over and over again, listening to those rhythmic rivers of sounds, succumbing to the imageries forming within my mind's eyes. Anne of Green Gables helped me fall in love with words.
The Book Thief
B is for The Book Thief by Markus Zusack.
Through glossy eyes and tear stained cheeks, I struggled to finish the story with my emotions corralled. I read every word, out loud, slowly. I did not want the story to end. I could count the number of pages left on my fingers. That feeling of loss had already crept into my being, found a nook in my heart, and was spreading quickly with every word I ushered through my lips. I wanted to learn the ending of the story, but at the same time, finishing the book felt like parting ways with a good old friend. Skillful writers like Zusack draw readers so deep within the world of their tale that letting go becomes a real and heartbreaking event.
Collapse
C is for Collapse-How Societies Choose To Fall Or Succeed by Jared Diamond
If you think all informational reading is a snooze-fest, you haven’t picked up Collapse by Jared Diamond or any of his other titles, I’m guessing. Diamond is an expert at weaving together numbers, data and historical narratives to create intriguing accounts of real places, real people, and real circumstances. Collapse showcases Diamond’s thorough research of each society he addresses with much focus given to the interplay between the geopolitical, cultural, and environmental systems governing a society and how those systems dictate crucial decisions that would eventually lead to the demise or prosperity of the whole society. His writing is so compelling at times it’s just as hard to put down as if I were reading a novel. He really is that good.
Collapse fell into my hands right before a trip to South America, which included a stay on Easter Island. Chapter 2: Twilight at Easter was poignant, informative and entertaining. Reading it before my trip greatly enhanced my knowledge and my interest in the island, thereby the quality of my trip as a whole. Thanks in part to Diamond’s crafty literary genius, I find myself gravitating towards non-fictional reads more often, especially before a trip.
Dreams From My Father
D is for Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama.
My absolute favorite genre to read is memoir. Everyone has a story to tell. The story may have happened in a blink of an eye or may span a whole lifetime, what’s most interesting to me is how each individual perceives, processes and chooses to proceed through the circumstances of their story. It takes courage to honestly write about yourself, to lay bare your vulnerabilities and expose yourself to criticism and judgment. But these essential criteria are crucial to the journey of self-discovery commonly woven through the pages of a memoir.
Written in a measured, meditative tempo, Dreams from My Father is Barack Obama’s alluring story of straddling two worlds, continents apart. The human psyche yearns to belong, and the struggle to find one’s place in this world is a story most everyone can relate to. As a Vietnamese-American, this story deeply resonated with my personal search for balance between my two worlds.
Elizabeth
E is for Elizabeth - The Struggle for the Throne by David Starkey
It seems the best movies are based on true stories, and for me, the most riveting stories are based on the lives of royal personage. These biographies are drenched with drama, betrayal and triumphs. Elizabeth by David Starkey is an engrossingly convincing portrayal of England’s most famous queen and her convoluted path to power. This time period intrigues me immensely.
I truly admire accomplished biographers like Starkey who are able to mesh together historical facts and their imagination guided by painstakingly meticulous research to paint an accurate landscape in which their characters can naturally interact. I’m always so impressed by the pages and pages of sources cited at the end of each biography.
Fahrenheit 451
F is for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Of the classic dystopian novels, Fahrenheit 451 imprints in my mind most deeply, roaring blazes of violent flames devouring books, razing buildings and scorching humans permanently seared into my memory. Ray Bradbury takes the iconic image of our everyday hero and turns them into horrific symbols of oppression and destruction. Firemen in Bradbury’s world are called upon to burn that which holds civilization’s knowledge, history, and ideas for progress, the most illegal of all personal possession, books.
Dystopian novels are reminders that the personal freedoms we are fortunate enough to enjoy are precious but fragile. They are cautionary tales arguing for the preservation of intelligent, independent, fact-based journalism and news reporting to safeguard the truth against those whose greed for power is bottomless and without moral boundaries. Again and again throughout history we’ve seen ruthless tyrants, autocrats and self-serving individuals in leadership roles attempt to control the populace through lies, intimidation, and propaganda with varying degrees of devastation to the population as a result, as we have recently witnessed. We must not let ourselves be pulled blindly down the path towards a dystopian society, ever.
The Gardening Classroom
G is for The Gardening Classroom by Cathy James
Within my first year of teaching Transitional Kindergarten, I quickly realized that many of my students were so disconnected from nature. I just couldn’t imagine four and five year olds not wanting to get their hands dirty, but that was my reality. I had students who were afraid to paint with their hands, draw with shaving cream, write in sand, and dig in the dirt. In addition, they had no idea where the foods they put in their mouths came from, nor were they even curious…because of course “it comes from the store, silly Ms. Buu!” I knew then that I wanted and needed to start a garden at school.
In time, all the necessary pieces came together and my dream of a TK garden blossomed into life. For the past five years, our garden has been a magical place full of happiness and growth. I've taught many direct lessons in the garden, but the students have learned much more through exploration and self-discovery. I’ve seen students who were once afraid to touch dirt vigorously dig with their own bare hands to harvest potatoes. I’ve witnessed students who used to squirm at the sight of a fly gently pet a monarch caterpillar or hold a worm in the palms of their hands. At the end of the year, I always ask my students what are some of their favorite things about TK, and our garden is always among the top along with the playground and friends.
I stumbled upon The Gardening Classroom by Cathy James at the library in the Botanical Garden in San Francisco and had to order a copy for myself on the spot. If you’re a teacher and have been thinking about starting a garden at your school, stop thinking and just do it! The Gardening Classroom is the perfect guide for your new gardening adventures. If you’re a parent and want to start a backyard garden, this is also a great resource.
Harry Potter Series
H is for the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
Need I say more?
I learned about the Harry Potter series after the second book was released from my best friend from childhood. In our youth, we had turned his empty backyard into our own magical worlds, given ourselves ridiculous names that only powerful wizards can wield, names like MaHaLa, and challenged our strengths and skills with unfathomably dangerous quests in which we always succeed. So you can understand my excitement, Harry Potter was practically family and Hogwarts was the place for me!
The magic of Harry Potter didn’t just rest within the pages of the books. The fun was continuous because J. K. Rowling was still in the process of writing the books as I was reading them. This was the first series that I preordered copies. I would count down the days until the next book was released. The moment a book was in my possession, nothing else mattered until I had devoured the whole book from cover to cover in a reading marathon that would normally leave me with a big headache afterwards, only to start over again. The second time around, I would read it slowly and revel in J.K. Rowling’s genius literary talent.
Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to reread the whole series again with my niece before watching the movies. J. K. Rowling’s magic is still just as captivating and powerful. And will be for all of eternity.
Integral Taichi
I is for Integral TaiChi by Master Heng Chang
Growing up, on those rare occasions when I was awake early enough, I had the opportunity to observed my father practicing TaiChi, moving his body in a slow, rhythmic dance synchronized to his breath. He had tried to teach me, but being the klutz that I am, I found it hard to coordinate the different movements into the flowing dance that traditional TaiChi routines simulate.
I gave up on TaiChi until I met Master Heng Chang or Thay Hang Truong and learned of his simple Integral TaiChi routines created to promote a healthy body and a peaceful mind. The gentle movements in his series are repetitive and easy to follow yet still very effective. Because I don’t have to spend my energy concentrating on the execution of each movement, I’m able to focus on harmonizing my breath with my body’s actions, similar to practicing moving meditation. In this state, I am able to find peace and stillness in movement and happiness in the present moment. Incorporating Integral TaiChi into my exercise routine on a regular basis has been so beneficial for me on many levels.
The Joy Luck Club
J is for The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Tucked somewhere in the middle of the extra reading list for those interested in the academic decathlon team my senior year in high school was The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan. For some reason, I instinctively homed into it, perhaps because the author’s last name was different from the rest and more familiar to me. I recognized its Asian origin right away. Oh, reading The Joy Luck Club was so fun for my friends and me. We didn’t realize it then nor were we able to give a name to what we were experiencing as we read, digested and talked about the book. But now we know. That deep-seated joy we hadn’t ever felt before while reading this novel stemmed from our cultural connection with the Asian protagonists. We identified with the characters and their messy situations. We saw our selves and our mothers in the story. This was the very first novel we were introduced to in school that showcased characters we can truly identified with, and it struck a deep chord within us that has stayed to this day.
I’m so grateful that as a society, we have grown to understand the need for multicultural books and that many publishers, librarians and educators are conscious of this lack in diversity and are making an effort to update their libraries. I’m also so grateful that with today’s technology, it is now much easier for any of us to find literature with main characters and situations we can relate. Seeing oneself represented in literature does make a difference; it did to me.
Knots & Splices
K is for a pocket guide to Knots and Splices by Des Pawson
My little brother let me borrow Knots and Splices by Des Pawson a few years ago, and I’m not sure if he’ll ever get it back. I love playing with knots. I can easily pass away hours at a time twisting and tying rope. It’s a love that stems from my childhood years attending the Vietnamese Youth Association or Gia Dinh Phat Tu.
If you’re looking for a new hobby, check this out. Plus, it’s a useful skill that may come in handy someday, like when you decided to build a raft out of just logs and ropes.
The Lorax
L is for the Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss books are a staple in every elementary school classroom. Although many of his silly rhyming books are aimed at entertaining beginning readers, his more serious picture books are for all ages. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is a book I read every year, no matter what grade I’m teaching. Dr. Seuss’s whimsical illustrations and engagingly unique writing style make it possible for every child to understand the story and author’s message. I can’t imagine my classroom without Dr. Seuss books!
Mosaic Of Thought
M is for Mosaic of Thought by Ellin Oliver Keene and Susan Zimmermann
Mosaic of Thought, Teaching Comprehension in a Reader’s Workshop was the very first book assigned in my reading methods, and it was most instrumental in helping me design a reading program for my own class from the very beginning. The second edition, Mosaic of Thought, The Power of Comprehension Strategy Instruction, I found to be even more universal in its philosophy for teaching readers to think deeply about and engage with the reading material. Every 3-5 years, I would make it a point to reread the second edition, and each time, I’ve come away with new insights into my own reading comprehension process and new methods of implementing each strategy for the specific grade level that I was currently teaching. The challenge of breaking down the instructional piece of each strategy for Transitional Kindergarten students is a very fun, on-going process for me. The positive outcome in my students’ interactions with the books we read together has been so rewarding and motivates me to keep working on ways to make comprehension more tangible for even the youngest readers and listeners among us.
National Geographic
N is for National Geographic Magazine
Towards the end of each month, I eagerly await for the arrival of the latest issue of National Geographic. I would tear open the plain, brown paper wrapper to reveal the front cover. National Geographic photographers are so good at capturing the story and emotions of their subject that before I read an article, I’m compelled to examine every photograph and caption, diagram or map. The photographs alone are worth much more than the subscription fee. If like me, you have problems with not being able to put down a novel, well written, in-depth, and intriguing, National Geographic articles make the best bedtime reading material.
Old Path, White Clouds
O is for Old Path, White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh
When my daughter told me there was an English translation to the Vietnamese series Duong Xua May Trang by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh I was delighted. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and his teachings have been influential in my life since I was a young girl. I had read this three-part series in Vietnamese a couple of times and tremendously enjoyed “walking in the footsteps of the Buddha” through his poetic storytelling. I wanted so much to be able to share the story with my daughter, especially as she was about to embark on her own journey to Laos to be an English teacher. Old Path, White Clouds was a pleasant read that would help develop her background knowledge about Buddhism and help her connect with her students since the majority of them were to be Buddhist monks. Old Path, White Cloud was a companion for my daughter as she ventured far from home and into a whole different world.
The Plague
P is for The Plague by Albert Camus
I read the Plague by Albert Camus last spring at the beginning of the lockdown due to COVID-19. It seemed only fitting. Camus thoughtfully takes us into the minds of his main characters as a plague quickly sweeps through their town and causes the government to shut the town gates, locking everyone and the fatal disease within its walls. Although The Plague is considered an existentialist novel, comparing the state of social, physical, and psychological isolation that the inhabitants of the city had to contend with during the detrimental and long course of the plague to our COVID-19 quarantine really helped put things in perspective. Thanks to today’s technology, we were never truly isolated. And if, like the characters in The Plague, we all do our part and respond responsibly in the interest of common good, together, we can overcome this deadly virus.
Q Is For Duck
Q is for Duck by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom
I just love ABC books, not because I’m an elementary school teacher, but because I think ABC books are so entertaining. In just 26 concise pages, I can learn at least 26 facts about a single topic, which are usually supported with photographs or illustrations. Some ABC books take on a fun twist like Q is for Duck by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom. Young readers will have to play a guessing game to figure out the association between an alphabet and its accompanying noun.
In the classroom, ABC books can be a whole class project that can easily be differentiated to fit the level of each student. For some students, their assigned letter page can be full of illustrations and simple labels, for others, it may be a detailed paragraph or a poem. It’s a great way to wrap up a unit and collect student knowledge into a book.
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
R is for Ramona Quimby, Age 8
I still remember the wooden rocking chair that sits in the corner of the classroom only to be pulled out during read aloud time, right after lunch recess…and then, as if by magic, the chair became an enchanted vessel transporting us to worlds far away.
And with fondness, I remember Mrs. Reuche, my 5th grade teacher, her short auburn curls hugging her gentle face, her dress always flowing. I don’t recall her ever wearing anything else. And that soothing voice that had entranced me so.
Fifth grade. If I were to relive any year of my elementary life, it would be fifth grade. I learned many things that year. I learned the taste of a Happy Meal. I learned to color with my first set of color pastels. Most importantly, I learned I was a reader. I learned to read in 5th grade. Maybe I had learned to read bit by bit through the years, but not until 5th grade did I feel that I could read well, that reading was personally satisfying and meaningful.
The first book I remember personally connecting to was Beezus and Ramona, by Beverly Cleary. Mrs. Reuche had chosen this as one of her read aloud chapter books that year. Instantaneously, I was drawn to Ramona. I saw so much of myself in her. It felt like we were best friends, like she understood exactly how I felt being the youngest girl in the family. And from that moment on, I searched out every Ramona book written. I had found the book that transformed me into a reader.
The unintended consequences of being a true reader quickly surfaced. Suddenly, I noticed my comprehension improving in other subjects across the curriculum. “Hey, I was actually somewhat smart.” Learning to read gave me a new sense of confidence in myself. And with that newly acquired self-esteem came a world of possibilities waiting to be explored.
The Secret Lives Of Bees
S is for The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
I think all avid readers have (or secretly have) a list of coming-of age novels that tug at their heart. The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is one of those novels on my list. It’s buzzing full of non-stop, teenage-girl searching-for-herself drama wrapped around the honey-sweet unifying themes of motherhood and family. Sue Monk Kidd keeps me turning the pages in this young adult thriller of-sorts. It’s just a fun, light-hearted, well-written, entertaining read. And sometimes, that’s all you’re in the mood for.
To Destroy You Is No Loss
T is for To Destroy You is No Loss by JoAn D. Criddle
There is a large Cambodian population in Stockton, CA where I grew up and where I began my teaching career. Many of my students came from homes where the trauma of the Cambodian genocide, widely known as the killing fields, still held their elders hostage. To Destroy You is No Loss by JoAn D. Criddle follows a Cambodian family from the end of the Cambodian Civil-War through their survival under the ruthless Khmer Rouge regime to the end of Pol Pot’s rule. JoAn D. Criddle’s writing is raw, heart wrenchingly descriptive, and so powerful.
Oh…That coveted plastic bag is a daily reminder for me of the many luxuries I have in my life. That’s why it’s so hard for me to throw plastic bags away, even sandwich size bags. If you read this novel, that plastic bag may too haunt you for the rest of your living days.
The Ultimate Kauai Guide Book
U is for the Ultimate Kauai Guide Book by Andrew Doughty
My husband and I love to travel, domestically and internationally. Our travel adventures are broken into three stages. The first is the research phase. The second stage is the actual traveling. And after each big trip, we reflect on our experiences by putting together a detailed photo journal of the journey. The first and last stages are by far more time-consuming than the actual traveling. Sometimes, we spend up to a year learning about our potential destination, searching for unique spots and local customs that are overlooked by tour companies. And usually, it takes us about a year after the trip to finish the photo journal.
Every trip is so unique that it’s always hard when we’re asked to compare one destination to another. One of our best trips was to the Hawaiian island of Kauai with my daughter and her best friend to celebrate their high school graduation. We were joined by our quirky friend and his family. Before we left, we read the Ultimate Kauai Guide Book by Andrew Doughty from cover to cover, taking notes of all the little tips that can make or break your day. And during our stay on the island, we referred to this guide on a daily basis.
Some people say that it’s best to just go with the flow and let the moment seize you when you travel. We’ve traveled enough to know that going in uninformed is a waste of time and a lot more stressful. You’re always trying to figure out where to go next and how to get there instead of devoting your time to really enjoying the present moment. We highly recommend doing your research thoroughly before you travel, but be flexible enough to change your itinerary if something interesting pops up. Our Kauai trip was a combination of both, and that’s probably one of the reasons it was such a memorable trip.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
V is for The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
It’s a difficult task finding a kindergartener that doesn’t know about the Very Hungry Caterpillar who ate through a bunch of the junk food and gave himself a stomachache but then turned into chrysalis and finally transformed into a beautiful butterfly. Eric Carle’s artwork, at first glance looks so simple, but in fact, it is so rich and full of texture. The brilliant primary colors employed in his books make them so appealing to children and teachers alike. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is an iconic book in American primary classes. Legendary children’s author Eric Carle passed in May of 2021, leaving behind a treasure trove of wonderful picture books for humanity to enjoy for all eternity.
Where Thuong Keeps Love
W is for Where Thuong Keeps Love by me, Thu Buu
I just received an advance copy of my first book, Where Thuong Keeps Love, and it’s so beautiful! Thank you Bao Luu for your wonderful illustrations and bringing the story to life.
When I wrote the first version of this book over two decades ago, publishing it never even crossed my mind. It was written solely for my daughter and my students as an entry point into the discussion of love and the many different ways to express love.
Two years ago, I was given the opportunity by West Margin Press to take my manuscript through the professional publishing process. In that time, I have learned so much about the many stages of editing and reviews it takes to turn out a published book. Thank you to my editors at West Margin Press, Olivia and Rachel for their guidance and insight. Once you get your copy of Where Thuong Keeps Love, I’m sure it will warm your heart.
Xenocide
X is for Xenocide by Orson Scott Card
As I pick books to fit this ABC series of books that have some importance in my life or books that reveal a part of who I am, I come to realize that many of my reading interests stem from my family. My second oldest brother introduced me to Star Trek, The Next Generation when I was in high school, my first encounter with science fiction. I was hooked. So naturally, science fiction novels are a draw for me.
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card is the third book in the Ender’s Game series. The plot is full of conflicts to be solved, and the introduction to new intelligent species and their ways of life are intriguing. To be truthful, Xenocide isn’t the most interesting book in this series for me, but it was still a good read. Besides, it’s hard to find a book that starts with an X that I’ve read and enjoyed. So, Xenocide is my choice for X.
Yukon Ho!
Y is for Yukon Ho! A Calvin and Hobbes Collection by Bill Watterson
Who among us haven’t heard of the smart, creative, adventurous troublemaker Calvin and his loyal, imaginary tiger companion Hobbes?
My daughter and I spent hundreds of hours pouring over Calvin and Hobbes comics when she was young. Calvin made us laugh so hard at times we couldn’t even breathe. Other times his stubbornness and unruliness infuriated us, and we sympathized with Hobbes or his parents and teachers who were at their wit’s end. More often, inspired, we would attempt to build similar contraptions. Our favorite was the time machine, and it actually worked!!!
Now that I’m teaching second grade this year, I can’t wait to introduce my students to the Calvin and Hobbes comic collection by Bill Watterson and welcome Calvin and Hobbes as regular visitors in my classroom.
Zero
Z is for Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
Zero by Kathryn Otoshi is such a great book for primary grade students to explore the ideas of self-esteem and self-worth. At the begin of the book, the number Zero feels incomplete and worthless because, well, there’s a giant hole right in the middle of 0. After unsuccessfully trying to twist and turn and bend itself to mimic other numbers, Zero realizes its own worth just by changing its perspective. The simple, colorful illustrations powerfully drive home the message within the text. It's a great picture book to add to any elementary teacher's classroom library.