Before Reading Angel Child, Dragon Child

Have children examine the soft, muted colors artist Vo-Dinh Mai uses to illustrate the cover and text of the book. Explain to children that an artist's techniques and preferences can be influenced by the culture in which he or she grew up. Visit the library to observe works by other Vietnamese artists. Are the children able to find works that look similar to the book's illustrations?

After Reading Angel Child, Dragon Child

Ut knows she looks different from the American children, and she knows they look different from her. What does Ut notice about the American children that is different (e.g., their long noses, their round eyes, etc.)? What do they notice about her (e.g., her clothing, her language, etc.)? Why do the American children tease Ut about the way she dresses? Why doesn't she tease them back? Ask the class to talk about how Ut felt on her first day in the American school. Describe how she might feel different if she were attending school in Vietnam.