Kimly Hoang-Nakata is honored to join the San Diego State University Bilingual Development in Context (BDC) Lab as a featured author at a community Book Launch Event on September 19, 2026.
Her presentation features Mai’s Story: The Legacy of Áo Dài — a Vietnamese bilingual children’s book centered on culture, identity, family, and the preservation of heritage across generations.
Representation in children’s literature matters deeply. When children encounter their language, traditions, families, and lived experiences within books, reading becomes more than an academic exercise — it becomes a source of belonging, pride, connection, and identity.
Stories preserve culture. Representation strengthens identity. And when children see themselves in books, we remind them that their stories matter.
