Aren't they beautiful? Here is Hoan and our Lelan.

Hoan is talented,tender, smart, funny young lady. She has a 'let's try' and 'can do' spirit. We have so much fun when we're all together that as I write this I miss her all the more.

After a hot day of getting supplies- I asked Hoan to join us at the pool (at the sommerset in Hanoi). we relaxed, ate and yakked. It's wonderful when Vietnamese nationals like Hoan have taken the time to learn English. The

full moon was showing itself. Hoan asked us if we could see the boy and the banyan tree in the full moon?

In a word, no, no one in my family could see the boy and the banyan tree in the full moon.

[hold on did i say i'm mommy to a 23 month old firecracker???? that means- taking a break here- more later.......

it's later- way later]

the cliff note version of the boy and the banyan tree is the son of a kind doctor is told to care for the banyan tree, the boy forgets and he and the tree fly up to the moon. I'll leave the rest of the story for you to read.

we both see the same side of the moon- same full moon here in NJ and in lang son. in nyc and hanoi. yet- we see the face, man on the moon and the children in viet nam

see the boy and the banyan tree. I wished there was an illustrated version of this folktale to share with my children.

Hoan said- I can do that! Together we said- then let's do it!!!! so within 7 weeks this book was translated, illustrated and printed- including a page explaining the history of various traditions depicted in the illustrations. It was super fun and super speed!! This book is a fund raiser for Love Education Fund. In the book Hoan states 10% of the book goes to our 5L fund. Actually, more than that goes to the fund.

Here are 2 of my favorite illustrations by Hoan. I find it fascinating this folktale connects herbs, dolphin intelligence, full moon, the ocean and fate- but buy the book and read it- enjoy - it is an amazing folktale.