SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: Another Word for Neighbor
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.angelakrans.com
CITY: Atlanta
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME: SATA 402
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and consultant.
AVOCATIONS:Biking, hiking, food.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2022, review of Finding Papa.
School Library Journal, January, 2023, Heather Webb, review of Finding Papa, p. 61.
ONLINE
Angela Pham Krans website, https://www.angelakrans.com (July 13, 2023).
Hollie Wolverton website, https://www.holliewolverton.com/ (February 3, 2023), Hollie Wolverton, author interview.*
Some things about me…
Hello! I am a children’s book author who enjoys writing humorous and heartfelt stories that highlight relationships between family, friends, and the community.
My stories are inspired by life experiences, family interactions (I have a very large and loud family!), and life moments that make me giggle. Ideas spark any time of the day but long walks are the best time!
The creative process gives me a lot of joy —the ideation, the research, the writing, the sharing and critiquing – it nudges me forward inch by inch. But my favorite part of the process is interacting with young readers - their curiosity, sense of adventure, and openness are so inspiring and healing!
I live in Atlanta with my husband Hamilton and a rambunctious Malinois named Archer. Outside of writing, I enjoy biking (especially on vacation), hiking, trying new recipes, and spending time with family and friends over lots of food.
Feb 3, 2023
4 min read
Updated: Feb 26, 2023
Let's get February rolling with #FirstDraftFriday and author Angela Pham Krans! Read on to get inspired and then draft your own picture book manuscript today.
Cover of My Sister, Daisy
Angela’s debut picture book, FINDING PAPA, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Thi Bui, will be out in just a few days from HarperCollins.
To pre-order or learn more about Angela, visit: angelakrans.com
Angela is generously offering a manuscript critique or an Ask-Me-Anything call as a prize for someone who completes a draft today! Details on how to enter at the end of this post.
Angela, tell us a little about FINDING PAPA and what inspired you to sit down and write the first draft of it?
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FINDING PAPA is about young Mai and her mother’s journey from Vietnam to America to find Papa. The story begins with Mai playing her favorite game with Papa, the crocodile “Chomp! Chomp!” But soon after, Papa leaves Vietnam to find a new home for their family. Mai and Mama miss him very much, until one day, Mama decides to pack a small bag and they say goodbye to the only home Mai has ever known. And so begins Mai and Mama’s long and hopeful journey to find Papa.
This story was inspired by the real-life journey that my mother and I braved from Vietnam to America to reunite with my father. I grew up hearing bits and pieces of their story and was amazed by their great courage and immense hope in reuniting as a family.
Did you dive right in and start drafting once you decide to write this story or did you let it stew for a while? Is this how you typically work?
When an idea pops in my mind, I typically let it stew before I start drafting. Stewing includes jotting down potential character names, scenes, problems to resolve, and any research I need to tackle. My brainstorming process is carefree--anything goes and all ideas count. When the idea for FINDING PAPA popped into my head, I interviewed my parents to make sure I captured all the important bits. I took copious notes and reviewed them before writing my first draft.
Do you remember what you thought of your first draft of this story when it was done? Did you think it was a winner or were you not even sure you’d keep working on it?
When I sat down to draft FINDING PAPA for the first time, I wrote the entire story in one sitting. That has not happened since, haha! Because this story was so close to my heart, I think the words flowed easier than most stories I’ve written.
When the first draft was completed, there was this kind of quiet joy that spread over me. The draft was nowhere near perfect, but I knew, without a doubt, this was the story I wanted to share with the world.
Was there any part of your original manuscript that changed significantly that you’d like to share here. How did you know this needed work and what was the process like to get it where it is today?
One of the changes I made was prompted by the editor’s insightful feedback. She suggested adding a couple of scenes to heighten Mai’s feeling of loss and of being uprooted from the only home she’s ever known. It took several tries, but I landed on the below version, which echoes Papa's farewell in a childlike way.
Before:
One night, Mama packed a small bag.
"Where are we going, Mama?”
"We are going to find Papa.”
Mai wrapped her arms around Mama’s neck and hung on her back.
After:
One night, Mama packed a small bag.
“Where are we going, Mama?”
“We are going to find Papa.”
When it was time to leave, Mai hugged her favorite mango tree.
She gave her pet chicken a big kiss.
Then Mai wrapped her arms around Mama’s neck and hung on her back.
As Mama walked down the village dirt road, Mai glanced back at her home one last time.
“Goodbye,” she whispered.
What is the hardest part of drafting a story for you? And how do you deal with that?
The hardest part for me is pushing through the middle part of the story, trying to make sure each scene makes sense and transitions to the next. I can sit there for hours and write only a few sentences. When I get stuck, I pull out picture books I love and study them for inspiration. Sometimes I just take a break and walk away completely. When I focus on other things and allow my back brain process to leisurely work, I find that ideas usually bubble up – like while I’m cooking, walking the dog, etc.
What are your tips and tricks for getting that first draft committed to the page?
I remind myself that the first draft can be messy and unbaked. There can be misspellings, fractured sentences, incomplete scenes, etc. – it doesn’t matter! This gives me permission to capture whatever rolls from my head to my hands and onto the page. If I reframe it as playing and experimenting, everything seems less stressful.
Who's ready to play and experiment? I hope you are because it's #FirstDraftFriday!
To enter for a chance at either a free critique of a fiction or non-fiction picture book manuscript (up to 800 words) from Angela OR a 15-minute Ask-Me-Anything call to discuss any topic you like with Angela, do the following by 10 pm ET today (Feb. 3, 2023):
Follow both me and Angela on Twitter: @HollieWolverton and @angelakrans
(Not on Twitter? You can also find Angela on Instagram at @angela.pham.krans)
Complete a full picture book draft
Return to this blog post and comment that you’ve completed your draft and provide your Twitter handle or full name. You will need to Sign Up/Log In to leave a comment (it’s easy - just an email and password).
You don’t need to send in your draft or provide proof - we’re all about the honor system here! The lucky winner will be randomly drawn from the comments and announced on Twitter shortly after 10 pm ET tonight.
Happy drafting!
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Q&A with Angela Pham Krans
Photo by Carrie Anderson
Angela Pham Krans is the author of the new children's picture book Words Between Us. She also has written the picture book Finding Papa. She lives in Atlanta.
Q: What inspired you to write Words Between Us?
A: My grandparents immigrated to the United States when I was in middle school and while we our communication was sufficient for the day to day, I struggled to share feelings and thoughts at a deeper level. Despite that, our relationship blossomed as we introduced and taught each other new things.
I’ve witnessed the same for many immigrant families and in some cases was delightfully surprised by the strength of bond between kids and their grandparents.
I wanted to share a story that spoke these truths – that bonds can formed through common interests, shared experiences, mutual respect, and those laugh-out-loud moments that only language barriers can create.
Q: What do you think Dung Ho’s illustrations add to the story?
A: Dung Ho is an incredible artist and her illustrations bring so much warmth to the story.
Some of my favorite scenes are between Felix and Grandma where the two share each other’s interests. You can almost feel the love and respect they have for each other in those vignettes.
Another favorite are the festival scenes filled with color, thoughtful details, and a diverse set of characters. There is so much joy on those pages!
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, in part, “Humor and empathy guide a Vietnamese American boy’s attempts to acclimate his grandmother to a new home and language in this tenderhearted title.” What do you think of that description?
A: I am grateful for Publishers Weekly’s kind review! I think “humor and empathy” encapsulates the heart of the story so well.
Despite a language barrier and generational gap, Felix builds a loving relationship with his grandmother. He is patient, kind, and excited to show his grandmother all the fun things. And of course, being a kid, those fun things include pizza, cheese, ice cream, and a pet iguana!
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: So many things! Like communication doesn’t always require words, that intergenerational relationships are beautiful and people at any age can learn from each other, and that learning a new language can be hard but so much fun!
I think kids are so wonderfully open-minded and full of curiosity and adventure, they’re probably already living some of these experiences!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m writing a couple of new stories – one a chapter book with series potential, and the other a middle grade story. I’ve traditionally written picture books, but I’m really enjoying writing for older age groups as well!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: While writing gives me so much energy and joy, I also try to find time to do non-writing activities, such as gardening, cooking, traveling, and outdoorsy things with my husband and pup.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
Krans, Angela Pham FINDING PAPA Harper/HarperCollins (Children's None) $18.99 2, 7 ISBN: 978-0-06-306096-8
A family separated reunites in a new home and country.
Mai loves spending time with her father, especially when they play a game called the crocodile chomp. When Papa leaves their Vietnam village in search of a new home, Mama and Mai are left behind waiting until they, too, pack and leave. They wade through waters and travel by boat and through new lands in the hope of reuniting with Papa. In this hard and hopeful history, author Krans and illustrator Bui draw from their own childhood journeys from Vietnam to America in, respectively, the early 1980s and late 1970s. Krans' prose gently helps young readers understand concepts such as missing loved ones and displacement. Repeated phrasing and recurring elements (crocodiles, mango trees, goodbyes) create a lyrical, compelling narrative and read-aloud. The "CHOMP! CHOMP!" of the crocodile game, which reappears in various situations, particularly evokes an array of emotions, ending in a poignant reunion. Bui's art, with its intimate portraits of family moments, is full of tenderness and expression. With minimal strokes, faces speak volumes. Backgrounds range from warm-hued dirt roads and verdant rice paddies to stormy waters navigated by crowded boat. When the trio reunite, the bustling American city backdrop fades to abstraction and the family takes the focus. While the story does not explicitly reveal the circumstances leading to the family's journey, the author's and illustrator's notes provide historical context and personal anecdotes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An affecting story of courage and hope in hardship. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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Source Citation
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"Krans, Angela Pham: FINDING PAPA." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A729072657/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2c6752c0. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
* KRANS, Angela Pham. Finding Papa. illus. by Thi Bui. 40p. HarperCollins. Feb. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780063060968.
PreS-Gr 3--Mai loves to play the crocodile chomp with Papa. Papa chomps his hands together and Mai always laughs because "Crocodiles were scary, but Papa was not." One day Papa says an extra long goodbye to Mai and Mama, then leaves Vietnam to look for a new home for them all. When word finally arrives from Papa, Mama and Mai set out to join him, taking very little with them. During the long and difficult journey, first by foot, then by boat, Mai comforts herself by playing crocodile chomp on her own. The pair eventually make their way to America where, dressed in new clothes, they see an unfamiliar man with a mustache approaching through a crowd. Mai doesn't recognize the man and hides behind Mama's legs, but her fears disappear when the man kneels and does the crocodile chomp. The illustrations infuse the story with warmth and keep even the most harrowing parts of the journey from feeling too scary for children. The love in Mai's family is palpable, shown both by physical affection and the fact that they are never far from each other's thoughts. An author's note explains more about the true events of the book, and an artist's note provides further historical and personal context as well. VERDICT Reassuring despite depicting a dangerous journey and uncertain time; there are many children for whom this is not history, but family stories. Essential.--Heather Webb
Caption: Finding Papa (Krans) [c]2023 by Thi Bui
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Webb, Heather. "KRANS, Angela Pham. Finding Papa." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 1, Jan. 2023, p. 61. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A732326494/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e551f5b1. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Krans, Angela Pham WORDS BETWEEN US Harper/HarperCollins (Children's None) $19.99 10, 3 ISBN: 9780063224544
A child of Vietnamese descent helps his grandmother get acclimated to their home in the United States.
Felix meets his grandma for the first time when she arrives from Vietnam to live with his family. The two quickly bond over pizza, music, and gardening. One day, Grandma gets lost at a city festival and, because she doesn't speak English, can't ask for help. Felix finds her and, later, decides to teach her English. He makes flashcards for different words, helping his grandma learn new words until "words became phrases. And phrases became sentences." With a stronger command of English, Grandma begins to make new friends and navigates their world with greater ease. There is a beautiful sense of symmetry in Felix and his grandma's relationship as they connect over their interests and lovingly support each other through challenges. Ho's digital illustrations are simply stunning. Vivid colors and sunlight permeate each scene, creating a sense of warmth and joy that thrums through the book even during difficult moments. Eye-catching visual details, from the various people in the crowd scenes to the flashcards in the endpapers, add depth and personality to the world they live in. The tale wraps up with a recipe for Vietnamese pizza, just like the one that Grandma makes.
A heartwarming tale of intergenerational bonding. (Vietnamese-English glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Krans, Angela Pham: WORDS BETWEEN US." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A768633561/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e1bfbfdd. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Words between Us. By Angela Pham Krans. Illus. by Dung Ho. Oct. 2023. 40p. Harper, $19.99 (9780063224544). K-Gr. 3.
When Felix's grandma moves from Vietnam to come live with her family, there is an instant connection despite the language barrier. Felix shows her around the city that will be her new home, and she shows him pictures of the village where she lived. They make music and care for the garden, all seemingly without much speaking. One day Felix and Grandma get separated at a crowded festival, and Grandma's inability to ask for help in English signals a very real disadvantage in her new environment. Felix decides to teach her, and in turn she teaches him Vietnamese. Words between Us is a tender, respectful depiction of a frequently occurring situation as older generations migrate to the U.S. The illustrations are colorful and add a sense of whimsy while capturing the strong, loving bond between Felix and Grandma. Their language lessons are depicted with speech bubbles so we can almost hear her pronunciation as she learns to say and make Felix's favorite food, peet suh! The recipe at the end is a bonus in this delightful story.--Amina Chaudhri
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
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Chaudhri, Amina. "Words between Us." Booklist, vol. 120, no. 4, 15 Oct. 2023, p. 59. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A770323991/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cb82db59. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Krans, Angela Pham ANOTHER WORD FOR NEIGHBOR Harper/HarperCollins (Children's None) $19.99 4, 1 ISBN: 9780063334915
Two young neighbors upend a reserved elder's tranquil life.
Han is introduced as "mostly ornery. That's another word forgrumpy." Then Kate and Olly move in; the youngsters are "curious and loquacious. That's another word fortalkative." Though Han tries to avoid the kids, eventually they meet, much to his discomfort. Using soft colors textured with simple lines and deftly blended shadows exuding warmth and charm, Phuong presents humorous, cartoonish scenes of the kids invading Han's space. Eventually Kate and Olly ask about a picture of Han's late wife, Lan; seeing his sadness, they perform small acts of kindness that artfully chip away at his hard exterior. After the children ask Han about his favorite food, he makes them an offer: He'll prepare his beloved pho (which he used to make with Lan) if Kate and Ollie can find the ingredients. The kids rise to the occasion, and a comforting montage of cooking scenes ensues. Kate brings Lan's picture to the table, and, over time, Han's world expands to envelop the larger community. Presented in a mix of speech bubbles and narrative text, Krans' prose is spare yet intimate; the author trusts readers to fill in the quiet spaces of the story. The children are pale-skinned; Han is East Asian (references to pho suggest he's of Vietnamese descent).
A gorgeous tale brimming with friendship, love, and touches of humor.(Picture book. 5-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Krans, Angela Pham: ANOTHER WORD FOR NEIGHBOR." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A835106386/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b9937565. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
April 08, 2025
Another Word for Neighbor
By Angela Pham Krans
Review by Yi Jiang
Another Word for Neighbor’s heartfelt depiction of grief and isolation has all the warmth of a steaming bowl of pho.
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The protagonist of Another Word for Neighbor, Han, only likes his tea, the newspaper and his plants—the latter because they can’t talk. So it’s not exactly a match made in heaven when young Kate and Olly, who happen to be especially chatty, move in next door. No matter how much Han ignores or chastises the pair, they persist in knocking on Han’s door, climbing up his peach tree, committing federal offenses by opening up his mailbox and asking lots of questions. These questions are mostly silly ones about Han’s hair, until one day Kate asks about the portrait of a woman prominently hanging on Han’s wall. Han stares ahead in grief as he tells the children that the woman was his late wife, Lan.
Later, the children bring an orchid to Han in an effort to cheer him up, prompting Han to remember how Lan valued hospitality. Han invites the children in and begins to open up to them, sharing snacks, stories about Lan and even a recipe for his favorite food, pho, which he hasn’t made since her death.
Angela Pham Krans, whose picture book Finding Papa was an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature honoree, depicts the growth of this intergenerational relationship with charming, witty prose that young readers will find both educational and humorous. Han is described as “old and mostly ornery,” which the narration clarifies as meaning “grumpy.” On the other hand, “Kate and Olly were inquisitive adventurers. Those are words for never giving up!” The sweet, cheerful atmosphere is complemented well by Thai My Phuong’s soft color palette and expressive characters, which inhabit a detailed, lively world of lush greenery and friendly cats, dogs and birds—animals just as curious as Kate and Olly. Another Word for Neighbor balances its heartfelt depiction of grief and isolation with all the warmth of a steaming bowl of pho.