“This fictionalized story of hope and resilience, inspired by Sophany’s experiences
and retold in Khmer on the endpapers, will speak to young readers while
introducing them to Cambodian culture and recent history.” —Booklist
Original Art Show, Society of Illustrators
Moonbeam Children’s Book Award
THE CAMBODIAN DANCER: Sophany’s Gift of Hope
written by Daryn Reicherter and illustrated by Christy Hale
Tuttle Books
This is the true story of a Cambodian refugee—a dancer and teacher—who built a life in the US after fleeing the Khmer Rouge. She became a counselor to other Cambodian refugees and created a school of dance for children. Her gift of hope was to teach children in the Cambodian community the traditional dances of Cambodia so that young people growing up far away from the land of their ancestors would know about their culture.
