A Different Pond
Picture Book Read Aloud
book summary
A Different Pond is a beautiful story that delivers a powerful and honest glimpse into the relationship between a father and his young son. The story is told from the perspective of the boy, Bao. As a young boy, Bao would wake up early to go fishing with his dad. The father and son went fishing for food for their family, not for recreation. Bao and his father needed the fish to feed their family. They had to get an early start so that they were back home in time for the father to start his long day of work. While waiting for the fish to bite, Bao’s father told him stories about another pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Bao tells his a very personal story about the strength of the family bond and captures the struggle of a Vietnamese immigrant family.
suggested teaching point
On pages 3 and 4 of A Different Pond, guide students to notice and discuss author’s craft. On pages 3 and 4, the illustration shows both a close-up of the boy looking out the window and a larger picture of the street they are driving down. Discuss….Why do you think the author wanted to include both images on the page?
Discuss another element of author’s craft on page 4 of A Different Pond. As the boy and his father drive away from home, the boy says that the kids at his school say that his dad’s English “sounds like a thick, dirty river”. What do these words let you know about the father’s English? (His dad’s English is not perfect; English is likely not his first language.) The boy thinks that his dad’s English “sounds like a gentle rain”. Discuss….How are these two descriptions different? How does the boy feel when he hears his dad’s voice? (calm and comforted).
Looking for more teaching points for this book and other similar books? Check out more Interactive Read Aloud Lessons HERE.
