From the Tops of the Trees - by Kao Kalia Yang (Hardcover)

About the Book

A moving and inspiring true story about how a father's love helped a daughter dream of a life beyond the confines of the refugee camp where they live

Book Synopsis

Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the Picture Book Category

"Father, is all of the world a refugee camp?"

Young Kalia has never known life beyond the fences of the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. The Thai camp holds many thousands of Hmong families who fled in the aftermath of the little-known Secret War in Laos that was waged during America's Vietnam War. For Kalia and her cousins, life isn't always easy, but they still find ways to play, racing with chickens and riding a beloved pet dog.

Just four years old, Kalia is still figuring out her place in the world. When she asks what is beyond the fence, at first her father has no answers for her. But on the following day, he leads her to the tallest tree in the camp and, secure in her father's arms, Kalia sees the spread of a world beyond.

Kao Kalia Yang's sensitive prose and Rachel Wada's evocative illustrations bring to life this tender true story of the love between a father and a daughter.

Review Quotes

"[A] gentle celebration of vision, hope, and determination . . ."--starred, School Library Journal

"[A]n homage to four-year-old Kaila, who wished to see the world again and again from the tallest trees, and to her father, who first hoisted her up in the treetops." --Children's Literature

"A stirring, lyrical portrait of hope and intergenerational bonds."--starred, Publishers Weekly

"Beautiful in its simplicity and elegance, with a hopeful and inspiring message, this story will not soon be forgotten."--starred, Booklist

"In sensitive and empowering words, Yang speaks about historical truths and shares her own childhood story with readers."--The Horn Book Magazine

"This story of resilience and generational hope is told in an expressive, straightforward narrative style. A visually striking, compelling recollection."--starred, Kirkus Reviews