Books like Home of the Brave — picked by fans

I’ve never experienced war. But I grew up with children of World War II refugees. Other friends’ fathers served in the Japanese American military unit while their families were interned in the U.S. The Cold War was in full swing, complete with ducking under our desks to “protect” ourselves from an atomic blast. Later, my peers shipped out to Vietnam. Then came the wars in the Middle East. The mental and physical effects of war are lingering—for soldiers and their families. It doesn’t matter which war or how long it’s been. Their stories are eerily similar and very, very real. I’m passionate about sharing them.

I’ve never experienced war. But I grew up with children of World War II refugees. Other friends’ fathers served in the Japanese American military unit while their families were interned in the U.S. The Cold War was in full swing, complete with ducking under our desks to “protect” ourselves from an atomic blast. Later, my peers shipped out to Vietnam. Then came the wars in the Middle East. The mental and physical effects of war are lingering—for soldiers and their families. It doesn’t matter which war or how long it’s been. Their stories are eerily similar and very, very real. I’m passionate about sharing them.

I’ve never experienced war. But I grew up with children of World War II refugees. Other friends’ fathers served in the Japanese American military unit while their families were interned in the U.S. The Cold War was in full swing, complete with ducking under our desks to “protect” ourselves from an atomic blast. Later, my peers shipped out to Vietnam. Then came the wars in the Middle East. The mental and physical effects of war are lingering—for soldiers and their families. It doesn’t matter which war or how long it’s been. Their stories are eerily similar and very, very real. I’m passionate about sharing them.

I’ve never experienced war. But I grew up with children of World War II refugees. Other friends’ fathers served in the Japanese American military unit while their families were interned in the U.S. The Cold War was in full swing, complete with ducking under our desks to “protect” ourselves from an atomic blast. Later, my peers shipped out to Vietnam. Then came the wars in the Middle East. The mental and physical effects of war are lingering—for soldiers and their families. It doesn’t matter which war or how long it’s been. Their stories are eerily similar and very, very real. I’m passionate about sharing them.

As a mom and children’s author, I’ve seen how much children need reminders that they are already loved, already important, and already enough. I’ve written over 30 picture books that explore kindness, confidence, and emotional resilience, but my heart always comes back to one mission: helping kids see their worth.

I created this list because I believe books are powerful mirrors—they show children not only who they are but who they can grow to be. These stories encourage kids to embrace their differences, trust their voice, and carry the confidence that being themselves is the most beautiful thing of all.

I write about topics I’m curious about. When a friend’s daughter converted to Islam that piqued my interest in the religion. I started researching Islam, not entirely sure of where the journey would take me. Around that same time, I saw a picture in my minister’s office of a Syrian refugee and her young son. They held a handwritten sign that said, WE ARE FROM SYRIA, CAN YOU HELP US? I started writing a story about a Christian girl whose church is helping a Syrian refugee family. To enrich the book, I sought a Muslim coauthor to tell half of the story. Together, we read LOTS of books by collaborators. 

As a part of Teatro SEA,  promoting and strengthening the cultural identity of young latiné audiences is the main focus of our mission and everyone who works there. We have been around since 1985 as SEA (Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.) and are the premiere Bilingual Arts-in-Education Organization and Latino Children’s Theatre in the United States. We create and produce a combination of educational theater, in-school multidisciplinary arts instruction programs, art & cultural festivals/ events, online educational programming, and Theater Books, all intended to raise self-esteem, strengthen cultural identity, and provide educational advancement for our community of latiné children and youth. 

Long before I became a writer, I was a mom and a teacher. Over some 25 years, I read hundreds, thousands of picture books to kids.  I fell in love with the lyrical language, the amazing variety, and the ways picture book authors and illustrators tell a complete story, engage kids (and adults!), and keep readers turning the pages. To me, picture books are an extraordinary gift not only for a young audience, but also for the parents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians who share them with kids. I hope these picture book suggestions inspire you to create special memories with the children you know and love. 

I’ve always enjoyed reading true stories and stories that feel like they could be true. I enjoy learning about other people’s lives and experiences. If a character’s life experiences have been very different than my own, it is eye-opening and informative. If we’ve had similar experiences it helps me feel less alone. When writing, I usually draw inspiration from my own life experiences. With AWOL, I wanted to share military family culture and help readers affected by PTSD feel less alone. 

I am Christina Vo, an author deeply passionate about exploring themes of healing and intergenerational trauma, particularly within the Vietnamese community. My personal journey and family history have profoundly influenced my understanding of these topics, as my own experiences have driven me to seek out stories that resonate with resilience and recovery. Writing and reading about these themes have been a way to process my past and connect with others who share similar experiences. Through my books and this curated list, I aim to highlight the voices and stories that inspire healing and foster a deeper understanding of our collective history.