With a population of over 6 million people, modern Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century. Traditional Lao arts include dance, music, word play and folk tales. Many of these uphold traditional Lao values of education, compassion and community. One of the most enduring characters in Lao literature is Xieng Mieng, a young man who lives by his wits and intelligence.
Xieng Mieng tales are particularly beloved by the Lao because of the message that one doesn't have to be famous or wealthy to be successful in life. Anyone who's willing to be smart can find ways to laugh and prosper, whether in ancient Laos or America.
Over time, I hope to turn this into an ongoing, regular series, with each book exploring different aspects and elements of Lao culture, and to ask "What are the timeless values of our society we'd like to pass on from one generation to the next?"
This project is very important to me because there aren't many books for Lao children, especially the 100,000 Lao American children growing up in the US today, who have few opportunities to read stories reflecting their own heritage. This book is a positive step to address this.
Ultimately, I don't just want this to be a book for our youth, but an experience. Your support during this kickstarter will be an important part of that journey