The Jade Bracelet

Tien’s mother gives her a simple jade bangle in memory of her grandmother. Though Tien loves the Vietnamese traditions of her family, but she also needs to fit in at school where her friends wear fancy bracelets. Her jade bracelet seems pale in comparison. Out of frustration, she slides it off and tosses it on the floor. Seeing her daughter’s distress, Tien’s mother gently offers to buy her one of the trendy bracelets. Yet just before they make the purchase, Tien recalls the deep love behind the jade bangle—and chooses to wear it with pride instead.

I love that the storyline focuses on traditions, heirlooms, culture, and identity. The illustrations don’t miss a beat – especially striking is the spread where Tien tosses away the jade bracelet and sits down on the floor – the illustration is from the point of view of an onlooker at the other side of the bed – a great way to teach perspective in pictures!

Read this to your class kids and they are sure to enjoy this! Great for kindergarten and above.