Thao Lam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thao Lam
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Thao Lam in 2022
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| Occupation | Author, Illustrator |
| Genre | Children's picture books |
Thao Lam is a talented children's author and illustrator. She is Vietnamese-Canadian and lives in Toronto, Ontario. Her unique books are created using a special collage style.
Thao Lam also co-directed an animated film called Boat People. This film won an award for Best Animated Short Film at the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Thao Lam came to Canada from Vietnam when she was three years old. Her family came as refugees, seeking a safe new home.
She says that picture books helped her a lot when she was settling into life in Canada. She especially loved the books by famous children's authors Eric Carle and David Wiesner. Thao studied illustration at Sheridan College in Toronto.
Books by Thao Lam
Thao Lam has written and illustrated several popular children's books.
- Lam, Thao (2024). One Giant Leap. Toronto, Ontario: Owlkids Books ISBN 978-1771475990
Films by Thao Lam
Thao Lam has also worked on animated films.
Boat People (2023)
Boat People is an animated documentary film. Thao Lam co-directed it with Kjell Boersma. The film tells a powerful story about a family's journey. It uses a creative way to show how they traveled across difficult waters.
The film was produced by the National Film Board of Canada in 2023.
Awards and Recognitions
Thao Lam's books and films have won many awards and honors.
Book Awards
Her books have been recognized for their amazing stories and artwork.
- The Line In The Sand was named a Best Canadian Picture Book by CBC in 2022. It was also a Kirkus Most Anticipated Fall Book.
- THAO: A Picture Book was chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection in 2021. It also made the New York Public Library's Vibrant Voices list.
- The Paper Boat received many honors in 2020. It was a Best Book by School Library Journal and Kirkus. It was also on the New York Public Library's 100 Best Books for Kids list.
- My Cat Looks Like My Dad was an Editors' Choice for Booklist in 2019.
- Wallpaper was shortlisted for the Cybils Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards. It was also a Kirkus Best Children's Book in 2018.
- Skunk on a String was a Kirkus Best Picture Book in 2016. It was also chosen for the Toronto Public Library First and Best List.
Film Awards
Her film Boat People has also won several important awards.
- Grand Jury Prize, Animated Short Film at the Calgary International Animation Festival.
- Best Canadian Animation Short at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival.
- Jury Winner for Best Animated Short and Audience Award for Animated Short at the New Orleans Film Festival.
- Milos Stehlik Global Impact Award Winner at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.
- Winner of the Diversity Award at the Spark Animation Festival.
- Audience Award, Best Animated Short at the Coronado Island Film Festival.
