Dia's Story Cloth

Reach for this book when your child starts asking deep questions about family roots, the meaning of 'home,' or how people find the strength to start over in a new country. It is a vital resource for families looking to discuss the refugee experience through a lens of artistic resilience rather than just hardship. The story follows Dia, a Hmong girl, as she traces her family's journey from the mountains of Laos, through a Thai refugee camp, and finally to the United States. By using the traditional pa'ndau (story cloth) as the primary visual medium, the book introduces complex history in a way that feels tactile and personal. While it touches on the sadness of war and displacement, the primary focus is on the enduring bonds of family and the preservation of culture. It is an ideal choice for elementary-aged children to explore Southeast Asian heritage and the universal human desire for safety and belonging.