11/19/2022
WHY write a children's book? WHY "Nana Makes Spring Rolls?" 🤔
Despite being a long time artist, Tina Meetran () (founder of dekdekgoose) never really saw herself in the children's book world. BUT she saw a need that had to be filled for her community - and she was committed to do it! 😄💪 Here's what Tina had to say about her WHY:
"Growing up as a Laotian-American kid, I struggled a lot with feeling like I belonged or I was accepted - in school, in friend groups, and in books or tv shows. I often felt like people didn't understand me or my culture, and they didn't care to. I didn't grow up with stories that starred kids like me or celebrated my culture for all to see. And to this day - I still don't see many stories that highlight the Southeast Asian narrative.
As more of my family members and friends are having kids, I notice how the generational gap of culture, tradition, and language continues to grow wider and wider. And honestly, it saddens me. Southeast Asian culture are BEAUTIFUL, BOLD, ELEGANT. Kids of today and tomorrow deserve to know how special their cultural roots are and Kids of yesterday deserve to see that they ARE celebrated. That they ARE stars of the story.
'Nana Makes Spring Rolls' is my mission to show Southeast Asian kids that they belong, they are seen, they are heard, and they are so so important - and they always have been. My hope is that this book shares the love and beauty of the Southeast Asian community and continues to spread acceptance and belonging amongst all kids.💞"
