Anh Do is a well-known artist, speaker, television presenter and comedian. His memoir for adults, The Happiest Refugee, was a bestseller which he has recreated into a picture book for young children. The jacket cover immediately attracts attention with its dramatic scene of a crowed boat appearing to lilt dangerously on a stormy sea. Anh Do features in the foreground, smiling and hopeful. The jacket cover proclaims, ‘The inspiring true story of Australia’s Happiest Refugee.’
Illustrations by Bruce Whatley add immensely to Anh’s story as a young refugee from Vietnam. Whatley features many historical details such as scenes from Do’s early family life in Vietnam, wartimes and in particular, the small fishing boat only nine and a half metres long and two metres wide with 40 Vietnamese, including his family, aboard, all hoping for a better life. There is high drama in this story of people’s resilience and perseverance. Dire scenes include pirates who steal everything from those on board. Readers will cheer when on their fifth day, these boat people are rescued by a German cargo ship and come to Australia. Life is not easy for Anh Do’s family who are portrayed as positive and hardworking. When Anh arrives at school, he knows no English and has no friends. Yet, Anh Do is a strong achiever. He befriends a new kid at school, learns English and becomes the class captain in his fifth class. ‘The kid who used to have no friends and smelly lunch had become school captain!’ There is much satisfaction here for readers.
Since 2016, Do has hosted the program, ‘Anh’s Brush with Fame on ABC-TV. He continues to lead a very busy public life in his adopted country.
Picture Books for Older Readers
