Elaine Russell

Geneviève Dubois, half-Lao/half-French, turns eighteen and leaves the French orphanage where she has been trapped for fourteen unhappy years. She is determined to uncover the story of her parents and locate her missing twin brother. Stepping into the deeply divided world of 1931 French colonial Laos, she finds neither French colons nor native Lao readily accept her mixed heritage. Even falling in love is fraught with the cultural restrictions of two dissonant societies. Where does she fit in?

When the Tamarind Tree Blooms

The story of a Hmong family forced to flee Laos for a refugee camp in Thailand after the Vietnam War. After immigrating to the US, they struggle to adapt to a new world and culture.

Across the Mekong River

This book was inspired by aboriginal artist Elaine Russell's childhood memories of her family and their life on the mission at Murrin Bridge. Each letter of the alphabet takes the reader on a different journey through the daily events of Elaine's childhood - being chased by emus, billycart racing, looking after her pet possum, picking quandongs.

A is for Aunty

It's time to celebrate, Thai style! Thai Celebrations for Children showcases the rich culture and colorful festivals of the Thai people. The charming illustrations and engaging text bring to life the incredible pageantry and symbolism of Thailand's many traditional celebrations—from family anniversaries to national holidays—in a way kids will enjoy. Have you ever been to an event honoring elephants? Or seen a flying lantern? Do you know why people throw water on each other at the Sonkran Festival? Kids will discover time-honored traditions and find the answers to fascinating questions within the pages of this book. Enjoy the celebrations at home with: An exciting exploration of everything from the Bor Sang Umbrella Festival to Thai National Elephant Day Instructions for making a Phi Ta Khon ghost mask A step-by-step guide to making your own Loi Krathong lantern boat Turning the pages of this beautifully illustrated multicultural children's book, you'll understand why in Thailand there's always a good reason to celebrate!

Festivals, Holidays and Traditions

Thai Celebrations for Children

Christina Schwenkel

Ian G. Baird

Sina Emde

Markus Schlecker

Susan Hammond

Krisna Uk

The Second and Third Indochina Wars are the subject of important ongoing scholarship, but there has been little research on the lasting impact of wartime violence on local societies and populations, in Vietnam as well as in Laos and Cambodia. Today's Lao, Vietnamese and Cambodian landscapes bear the imprint of competing violent ideologies and their perilous material manifestations. From battlefields and massively bombed terrain to reeducation camps and resettled villages, the past lingers on in the physical environment. The nine essays in this volume discuss post-conflict landscapes as contested spaces imbued with memory-work conveying differing interpretations of the recent past, expressed through material (even, monumental) objects, ritual performances, and oral narratives (or silences). While Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese landscapes are filled with tenacious traces of a violent past, creating an unsolicited and malevolent sense of place among their inhabitants, they can in turn be transformed by actions of resilient and resourceful local communities.

Reading Post-Conflict Landscapes in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam

Interactions with a Violent Past

Wolf Haas' Detective Brenner series has become wildly popular around the world for a reason: They're timely, edgy stories told in a wry, quirky voice that's often hilarious, and with a protagonist it's hard not to love. In this episode, Brenner-forced out of the police force-tries to get away from detective work by taking a job as the personal chauffeur for two-year-old Helena, the daughter of a Munich construction giant and a Viennese abortion doctor. One day, while Brenner's attention is turned to picking out a chocolate bar for Helena at a gas station, Helena gets snatched from the car. Abruptly out of a job, Brenner decides to investigate her disappearance on his own. With both parents in the public eye, there's no scarcity of leads-the father's latest development project has spurred public protest, and the mother's clinic has been targeted by the zealous leader of an anti-abortion group. Brenner and God is told with a dark humor that leaves no character, including Brenner, unscathed. Haas tells the story of a fallible hero who can be indecisive and world-weary, baffled and disillusioned by what he finds, but who presses forward nonetheless out of a stubborn sense of decency-a two-year-old is kidnapped, so you find her, because that's just what you do.

The Shack That Dad Built

All About Thailand is a new Thai book for kids ages 8 to 12 which brings you on an incredible journey to exotic Thailand. Thailand is a place where a modern culture thrives in one of the world's most ancient countries. Your guides in this adventure are two Thai children: Mali is a 9-year-old girl from the countryside and Tawan is an 11-year old boy from Bangkok. Travel with them as they explore their land—experienced its fascinating wildlife, beautiful handcrafts, sports, games, celebrations and, of course—great Thai food! They'll give you a glimpse of what it's really like to live in Thailand and they'll show you all the things that kids in Thailand love to do. With this Thai culture and history-for-kids book readers will: Visit with elephants and monkeys Learn new fun and challenging games Share Thai myth, fairy tales and fables Get a taste of the Thai language and learn a song or two Make things that let you experience Thailand's beliefs, celebrations and culture Experience the unique flavors of Thailand with a few easy, yummy recipes And lots more! Along with fun facts, you'll learn about the spirit of the Thailand that makes this country and its people totally unique. This is a book for parents and kids to enjoy together!

Elaine Russell

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