Date and Time: Tuesday, April 23, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual Zoom Event
Chanda Wolf, who works as Special Assistant to the President and General Counsel for the UMass System Office will discuss her upcoming children’s book, “A Dozen Delicious Donuts: A Sweet Cambodian-American Story," illustrated by Juliet Yenglin, on Tuesday, April 23 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. via zoom. The book will be published in September of 2024.
David Lowy, UMass General Counsel will open the event with a brief overview about the Cambodian genocide from 1975-1979 and explain the “how” and “why” - the United States bombing, and the War in Southeast Asia created fertile ground for the rise of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. He will reference how we failed to learn from the Holocaust and we, once again, have failed to learn from the Killing Fields.
From this tragedy, Chanda's great-grandmother, father, and mother survived and were able to escape, resettling in America. However, Chanda's children's picture book offers a brighter outlook. A grandmother, who escapes “the killing fields,” shares the gift of a most cherished family recipe carried from Cambodia. The book focuses on the beauty and richness of the Khmer culture, and centers around food and the Cambodian-American immigrant experience. The book brings a sense of pride and belonging for a young girl, and the preservation of family tradition.
More than ever, diverse, and inclusive stories are being banned in the classrooms and beyond. Chanda hopes to encourage people everywhere to recognize all voices with the understanding that the most marginalized voices must be heard. And one of the most natural ways to build awareness of race and social justice into mainstream America is to have books that all kinds of kids can see themselves in.
Captions and a transcript will be provided by a real-time captioner.
Endorsements for Chanda's book are posted on the event page.
Communication developed by Chanda Wolf.