Mali Under the Night Sky: A Lao Story of Home

Skipping Stones Honor Award, Skipping Stones Magazine

A child finds comfort in the memories of the landscapes and traditions of the beautiful homeland she was forced to leave.

Mali Under the Night Sky is the true story of Lao American artist Malichansouk Kouanchao. Due to wars that were not contained by borders, she and her family had to leave their home in Laos. Before the war changed everything, Mali lived an idyllic life in a community where she felt safe and loved. She enjoyed sitting in front of her house and asking everyone who passed by, "Where are you going?" She went everywhere too--climbing on flowering trees, searching for pale bamboo shoots in the dark forest, and catching fish in rice fields. But when she was five years old, her family had to cross the Mekong River into Thailand to be safe. She remembers the journey, as well as the beauty and strength of Lao culture.

Through warm and accessible watercolor illustrations, author-illustrator Youme shows readers the joyful memories of home that carried Mali through the heartbreak of leaving it.