Bilingual+Book+Project

**Introduction to [|Bilingual Book Project] **

//Pan Dau Art to Published Art // is a family literacy project to record, transcribe, and illustrate a traditional story and ultimately create a bilingual book. Through this adapted language experience approach, literacy becomes more culturally relevant and meaningful. Many strengths of the Hmong culture are tapped through this project, the wealth of oral stories and plethora of artistic talent. By publishing the art of their historically oral culture, families will provide a resource to build an appreciation for multicultural literature and preserve stories for future generations. Upon completion of the project, families received a copy of every bilingual book published by families involved in the project for their home libraries.

**Reflection ** This project was a awe-inspiring, full-circle moment for me as a person and an educator. The task of publishing seven books was no easy feat, but thanks to collaboration with colleagues, university faculty, and a local publishing company, we were able to print and distribute Hmong folktales, an autobiography, and a Hmong elder’s perspective on the Vietnam War that otherwise may have been lost from history. When I first read the manuscripts for the books, I immediately was overcome by my lack of background knowledge regarding Hmong folktales. I, for the first time in my life, exchanged roles with my Hmong colleagues who coached me through cultural issues to allow me to understand the text. I had set out to increase the significance of literacy and access to culturally-relevant books for families learning English, but I learned a much greater life lesson of empathy and sensitivity toward the impact of background knowledge on comprehension.

Administrator Standard #1; Content Guideline I Administrator Standard #5; Content Guidelines E, F Administrator Standard #6; Content Guidelines C Adminstrative Standard #7; Content Guideline C