When we think about children’s books that represent all families, we do not always find stories that unite tradition, identity and diversity. Mai’s Áo Dài, by Thái Nguyễn, does it. And he does it with tenderness, with color and with a message that stays inside.
In its pages, we meet Mai, a girl excited to celebrate Tết, the Vietnamese New Year. She is accompanied by her two parents, who in addition to love, transmit to her a legacy: the áo dài, that traditional garment that any Vietnamese person has worn at some point in their life.
A story born from fashion
Thái Nguyễn is not unknown to anyone who follows fashion and television. A Vietnamese-American designer, he has dressed stars on red carpets and hosted the show Say I Do on Netflix. He never thought he would end up writing a story, but, as he himself says, “opportunities come, and sometimes they are magical.”
The idea for the book arose after dressing actress Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) with a áo dài designed to reclaim her roots. The impact was such that it planted the seed for this story.
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The value of what is not always seen
In the story, Mai wants to wear a princess dress. However, one of his parents suggests that he wear the áo dài. To convince her, he tells her about his grandmother, Ba Noi, a talented seamstress who emigrated to the United States and whose work was always full of meaning.
Grandma can’t see well anymore, and Mai wonders: “How will she know what I’m wearing?”. Her father responds: “We wear the áo dài because we love her, Mai. You don’t have to see love to know it’s there.“
A simple phrase, but capable of staying in the mind of any little one… and any adult.
Subtle, but powerful diversity
The story does not directly emphasize that Mai has two parents, but it is there, naturally. And that presence matters. Especially for those who have grown up without seeing their family reflected in literature.
Nguyễn has heard it from Vietnamese LGTBIQ+ families: “I would have wanted this book when I was little. There was nothing like it, neither in the media nor in literature. It is not only for children, but also for us.”
Because representation matters, not only in terms of race or culture, but also in identity and diversity. And, as the author recalls, “we need that visibility.”
Why you should read Mai’s Áo Dài with your little one
- Celebrates Vietnamese culture in an accessible and beautiful way.
- It shows diverse families with normality and affection.
- It sends a message of love that goes beyond what is visible.
- Opens conversations about identity, tradition and belonging.
We may not have all the answers about how to educate about diversity from childhood, but stories like this are a good start.
