Eight Little Hands (Pre-Order)

Description

Eight Little Hands is a heartfelt picture book about family, sacrifice, and finding connection in a new home. Through the eyes of a young Vietnamese American girl, readers experience the challenges of adjusting to life in the United States. Along the way, she learns to appreciate the quiet ways her grandfather shows his love.

With lyrical text by Hanh Bui and warm illustrations by Kerisa Greene, Eight Little Hands follows a child who longs to spend more time with her grandfather. He works long hours to support their family. As a result, they have less time together. She finds new ways to stay close to him and begins to understand the sacrifices behind their new life.

Filled with tender moments, this story celebrates resilience, gratitude, and family love. It also highlights the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. As the young protagonist faces change, she discovers that love can remain strong even when life looks different.

Perfect for classrooms, libraries, homeschool settings, and family storytime, Eight Little Hands sparks conversations about immigration, cultural identity, belonging, and empathy. The story also supports social-emotional learning. It helps children understand the experiences of immigrant families and the many forms love can take.

Readers who enjoy Drawn Together, A Different Pond, and The Name Jar will find much to love here. This moving picture book offers a touching portrait of the Vietnamese American experience. It is also a timeless celebration of family.

Why This Immigrant Family Picture Book Belongs in Your Library

Eight Little Hands is more than a story about moving to a new country. It is a moving tribute to the sacrifices immigrant families make for future generations and a celebration of the love that sustains them through change. Through one child’s perspective, readers gain a deeper understanding of the courage, resilience, and hope that often accompany the immigrant experience.

Inspired by Hanh Bui’s own childhood, the story draws from her family’s journey from Vietnam to the United States. Bui’s grandfather, once an officer in the South Vietnamese army, began a new life in America as a maintenance technician, working tirelessly to support his family. His story of perseverance serves as the emotional heart of this book.

Together, Bui and Greene have created a touching and timeless story that honors family sacrifice, preserves cultural memory, and reminds children that even when life changes, love remains a constant thread connecting generations.

About the Author and Illustrator

Hanh Bui is the author of The Yellow Áo Dài. Drawing from her experiences as a Vietnamese immigrant, she writes stories that celebrate family, culture, identity, and belonging. Her work highlights the resilience of immigrant communities and the power of storytelling to preserve family histories for future generations.

Kerisa Greene is an illustrator and visual storyteller whose work is known for its warmth, emotional depth, and expressive characters. Her illustrations bring heart and authenticity to stories centered on family, identity, and human connection.