From the mountains of Wat Tham Krabok to classrooms in Minnesota. Thai’s journey began in a refugee camp in Thailand, where his curiosity led him to explore his surroundings and tinker with gadgets. This spark grew into a passion for educating and inspiring others.
Thai reflects on his early experiences as a child and knew he wanted science and technology to be an important part of his life. After moving to the U.S. at age 13, Thai worked hard to learn English and build a career in STEM with the help of those around him.
Thai says, “The refugee camp was a great place to run around but a place that lacked hopes and dreams. I am grateful to be where I am and thankful for those who helped me along the way.”
Thai’s story is beautifully told in English and Hmong, illustrated by the talented Hmong-American illustrator Khou Vue.
Book Contents
- 64 pages in full color
- Discussion questions
- Important concepts about Kim’s story
- Words to know from the story
- Written in English and Hmong
- Reading comprehension for ages 8+
About the Contributors of Tinkering Towards My Spark
THAI CHANG, AUTHOR
Born: Wat Tham Krabok, a refugee camp in Thailand
Current: St. Paul, Minnesota
Thai Chang grew up in Wat Tham Krabok, a refugee camp in Thailand, finding joy in its temples and mountains but limited in pursuing dreams. His family resettled to the United States in 2004 to reunite with his sister. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in Youth Studies, with a goal to help create and shape STEM opportunities for other youth in his community. While in college, he became an intern at the Science Museum of Minnesota and has since moved through an assortment of positions helping to make science more accessible and approachable for the youth of tomorrow. In 2020 his story was published in Green Card STEM Voices: Stories from Minnesota Immigrants working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. He is dedicated to crafting engaging experiences that spark individual curiosity in science and technology.
KHOU VUE, ILLUSTRATOR
Born: Akron, Ohio
Current: St. Paul, Minnesota
Khou Vue is a second-generation Hmong American graphic designer and illustrator based in St. Paul, Minnesota. After spending a decade working as a graphic designer, she followed her heart to pursue freelance illustration. In her work she strives to portray themes of femininity, cultural empowerment, and social awareness. Her first picture book, Caged, with author Kao Kalia Yang was released in May 2024. In her spare time, Khou loves traveling the world with her two children and husband. She also loves trying out every bakery/ice cream shop she comes across and scoping out the children’s section of bookstores.
About the Children’s Bilingual Graphic Novel Series, Our Stories Carried Us Here
Following the breakout success of the graphic novel anthology, Our Stories Carried Us Here, Green Card Voices presents the children’s graphic novel series of the same name. In this series, we explore the same challenging questions of identity, race, and discrimination, but written for an audience in grades 3-5. As our student population becomes increasingly BIPOC (52% of US school population in 2020), teachers and parents are searching for books that are reflective of who their students and children are, and which help them feel more at home in America. Through authentic narratives from immigrant storytellers and engaging full color visuals, developing and fluent readers access and explore a variety of distinctly American experiences. Each book features a single story presented in both English and the native language of the storyteller. Moreover, supporting pages provide background building content, thought provoking discussion questions, and a well curated list of additional resources for extension opportunities.
Reading Level: 600L-1200L
Audience: All children, 3th -5th grade, 8-12 years old
Objectives:
- Share cultures, stories of children immigrants, first and possibly second generation
- Show how diverse each immigrant journey is
- Focus on a diverse group of children immigrants coming from several different regions
- Vol 1.: Mexico (JUNE 2022)
- BELONGING TO AMERICA AND MEXICO
- Vol 2.: Yemen (April 2023)
- VOICE FOR REFUGE
- Vol 3.: Cambodia (May 2024)
- CHASING DREAMS, BECOMING A DOCTOR
- Vol 4: Hmong (October 2024)
- TINKERING TOWARDS MY SPARK
- Vol 5: Ukrainian (May 2024)
- Vol 1.: Mexico (JUNE 2022)
- Provide detailed and authentic resources for other children immigrant to reference about their culture
- Focus on the change/transition from the immigrant’s previous life in their birth country to America
- Show the integration of their culture and America’s culture and how they could still be themselves and follow their culture while living in America
Book Details:
- Estimated total count of pages: 32 pages in English, translated; TOTAL: 64 pages
- Type of book: Children’s hardcover book
- Bilingual flip book: one language on one side (front), another on the other side (back)
- Dimensions of book: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
Book Design:
- Use illustration by immigrant illustrator (preferably from the same region)
- Book cover will be a illustrated with a color portrait (all volumes will follow the same structure)
- Color palette: each volume has its own color palette
Praise and Reviews
“Thai Chang’s story is a reminder of the incredible trajectory of a single life; a refugee boy playing among trash in a makeshift camp in a buddhist temple in Thailand, Chang becomes a program exhibitor for the Science Museum of Minnesota. Khou Vue’s artistry facilitates the unfolding of a narrative that is direct and compelling.”
“A beautiful story that highlights not only the resilience of the author’s choices and his experiences, but that of his mother’s and sister’s as they each strive to achieve the “American Dream” and find belonging in a new home. Excellent choice of genre to amplify the simplicity of how powerful storytelling is in the first person, resonating to learners at all levels in a student-centered fashion that their stories matter. As a former teacher, I appreciate the thematic layers one can lift and focus on along with the lessons that can be taught from this one book.”
“What an amazing book about resiliency, opportunity, and triumph. Having grown up in a refugee camp in the early 70s, I could relate so well to Thai Chang’s experiences. His story is all of our refugee stories as well. I highly recommend the book for teachers, young readers, and for those with interest in understanding the challenges faced by our newest Americans, the Hmong!”
“Congratulations to Thai Chang on his wonderful book, it’s a beautiful self-reflection and personal narrative which lovingly illustrates universal themes; coming of age, family, community, creativity and finding and following one’s own personal passions and interest.”
“Our Stories Carried Us Here: Tinkering Towards My Spark by Thai Chang is a powerful testament to the resilience, resourcefulness, and determination that refugees bring to their new homes. Thai’s journey not only inspires us to pursue our own dreams but also to support others in achieving theirs. His story is a beautiful journey of perseverance and success. In a time when more refugee role models in the STEM field are needed, Thai stands out as an inspiring example for many.”
“This book serves as a source of inspiration, particularly for individuals who do not speak English as their first language. Through the author’s personal journey of struggle and determination in Cambodia and the United States, readers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in difficult circumstances. By witnessing the author’s resilience and unwavering determination, readers are inspired to overcome their own obstacles and pursue their dreams. The book enhances its readability and makes it accessible to a wider audience.”
“In “Tinkering Towards My Spark,” we follow Thai, a curious child whose dreams feel trapped in Wat Thamkrabok, a Thai temple, and learn about his journey of hardship, hope, and unwavering determination as a dreamer. This book is more than a story for me because it brings things full circle as I was one of the champions that made the resettlement of the Hmong refugees from Wat Thamkrabok possible in 2003. Without knowing it, “Tinkering Towards My Spark” brought some healing and closure to me. I imagine it will for many others too. It’s also a reminder that every dream, no matter how humble or distant, is worth investing in and pursuing with unwavering determination.”