Every Little Bit Olive Tran
Phuong Truong, Author
Christine Wei, Illustrations
Second Story Press, Fiction, Feb. 18, 2025
Suitable for ages: 7-10
Pages: 100
Themes: Asians, Racism, Empathy, Family, Friendship, Community
Phuong Truong, Author
Christine Wei, Illustrations
Second Story Press, Fiction, Feb. 18, 2025
Suitable for ages: 7-10
Pages: 100
Themes: Asians, Racism, Empathy, Family, Friendship, Community
Book Jacket Synopsis:
Olive Tran is turning ten!
Now she can walk to school by herself and go to Kandy Korner whenever she wants. Finally!
But when Olive finds out Mrs. Ly was pushed on the street and her brother’s school friends had gross things thrown at them because they’re Asian, she starts to feel less safe. And why doesn’t her best friend Josh want to come to her birthday party at the trampoline park anymore?
Olive knows something is wrong, but she is determined to have fun at her party. If she shows kindness, maybe others will too. Every little bit counts!
My thoughts:
Even though Phuong Truong tackles the difficult subject of racism among Asians, her chapter book is a delightful read and packed with courage and empathy. It is an upbeat story and age appropriate. Olive is an enthusiastic and carefree girl looking forward to celebrating her tenth birthday with her classmates and gaining a new-found freedom of walking to school solo without her mother accompanying her.
When an older Asian woman is targeted and knocked down on the street near the market, her brother Ben tells her about some of the mean things his friends say to Asian students. And now her best friend Josh isn’t coming to her party. Olive is feeling less safe.
They story is also a peek into the past of an immigrant family. Olive’s grandmother assures her that SHE isn’t afraid to go out by herself as they work together to prepare the yummy party food. She proceeds to tell Olive what it was like to flee Vietnam by boat and live in a refugee camp for nine months. Olive has never heard about what her grandmother had gone through to start a new life for her family. Her grandmother is her hero!
The chapters are short, the illustrations by Christine Wei support the celebratory story that will show Olive’s big heart and kind nature at the end. I highly recommend this book for school libraries as it will lead to many interesting discussions.
Phuong Truong grew up in Ottawa and dreamed of being a rock star, a lawyer, or an author. She is pleasantly surprised to have achieved one of these goals. Her first book, Everyone is Welcome, was published in 2023. She works in book publishing and lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario. You may get in touch with Phuong on Instagram! @pt_author.
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*Review copy provided by Second Story Press in exchange for a review.