Valerie Pang

Jan 10, 2025 | iexaminer.org | Valerie Pang |George Takei |Sarah-Soonling Blackburn

Asian American young people often feel invisible in history and that they do not belong in their country. Many students and adults think that history is boring and not important. The authors of these books vehemently disagree. They strongly believe that history tells us who we are, what our communities have contributed to the United States, and why we believe in values such as democracy, equality, and freedom. Remember, Asian American* history is American history. It is about all of us.

Mar 5, 2024 | iexaminer.org | Valerie Pang

Many immigrants come to the United States to find their opportunities and escape hostility. The two books, Last Flight and Finding Papa, are both about refugees and the trauma they faced when their home countries become places of war. Last Flight presents the experiences of refugees from Vietnam who were fortunate to board the last commercial airplane from Saigon before the South Vietnamese government surrendered to the Communist North Vietnam government in 1975.

Feb 5, 2024 | iexaminer.org | Valerie Pang

I interviewed Lori Matsukawa about her new picture book, Brave Mrs. Sato, and where she got the idea for the story. Seattleites know Matsukawa as a TV journalist who spent 36 years as evening news anchor at KING 5. In the story, when Lori’s mother went to work, Mrs. Sato was her babysitter. Mrs. Sato taught her a great deal about Japanese culture and language. However, one day Lori learned that she had to leave her babysitter because her family was moving.

Jan 9, 2024 | iexaminer.org | Valerie Pang

Often Asian American children are bullied and the message that is hurled at them is that they are not Americans. Two books to read to our youngest Asian Americans that reinforce that they are proud Americans are An Asian American A to Z: A Children’s Guide to Our History and I’m An American. An Asian American A to Z: A Children’s Guide to Our History by Cathy Linh Che and Kyle Lucia WuUsing imperfect rhyme, this book provides historical facts about Asian Americans.

Apr 5, 2023 | iexaminer.org | Valerie Pang

Following Your Dreams in Nigel and the MoonHave you ever had dreams about your future, but were too embarrassed to share? Nigel, an African American youngster, wants to be an astronaut. He wants to be a dancer too. Nigel also sees himself as a superhero, but he could not find a book in the library where a person like him is dancing. Every night when he looks out the window and spots the bright moon, he tells the moon his dreams. At school Nigel told no one about his dreams.