Mai told Grandma, "I want everyone at school to love Hmong things like I do!" Grandma smiled, "We’ll show them together." They stitched bright thread onto a dress. Mai beamed as her dress sparkled with color. "Will my classmates like it?" Mai wondered. Grandma hugged her, "It’s made with magic and love."

Mai's Big Plan

Mai practiced her dance while Grandma cooked her favorite rice cakes. Mrs. Johnson peeked in and said, "That looks wonderful, Mai!" "Harper, want to try the skirt?" Mai asked, holding out an embroidered outfit. Harper twirled, giggling, "It feels like a princess dress!" Kingston sniffed the rice cakes, "Can I have a taste?"

Preparing for Culture Day

Kinsley clapped as Mai danced in her colorful dress. Veda grinned, "The flowers on your skirt are beautiful, Mai!" Sam reached for another rice cake, "These are yummy!" Mrs. Johnson gathered everyone around, "Mai, can you tell us about the patterns?" Mai smiled and shared, "Each shape is a story from my family." Her friends listened closely, eager to learn more.

Sharing Stories and Tastes

When Culture Day ended, everyone hugged Mai. "Your magic thread made today special," said Harper. Kingston added, "I want to sew with you!" Grandma nodded, "Mai, you showed your heart." Mai felt proud, knowing her class now understood her a little better. Together, they all cheered, "More magic for everyone!"

The Magic of Friendship

bang haircut, purple bow in hair, Hmong necklace, eyes chinky, braided hair pigtails

An 8 year old asian girl with long black hair styled in braided pigtails and bangs, adorned with a purple bow and a Hmong necklace

cane, sewing basket, hmong embroidery, reading glasses

A 65 year old asian woman wearing reading glasses

A 65 year old asian woman with medium-length gray hair, carrying a cane and a sewing basket, with hmong embroidery and reading glasses

Grandma

blue jeans, olive dress shirt, a-line haircut, pencil, clipboard

A 30 year old european woman with fair skin

A 30 year old european woman with short blonde a-line haircut, wearing blue jeans and an olive dress shirt, holding a pencil and clipboard

Mrs. Johnson

glasses, bowtie in hair, curly hair, blue jeans, pink t-shirt, pink backpack

An 8 year old european girl with medium-length curly light brown hair, wearing glasses and a bowtie in her hair, dressed in a pink t-shirt and blue jeans, and carrying a pink backpack

Harper

black skull backpack, black jeans, white shirt, converse shoes, black jean jacket, hair spiked

An 8 year old black boy with short spiked blonde hair, wearing a white shirt, black jeans, a black jean jacket, converse shoes, and a black skull backpack

french braid ponytail, purple overall dress over white shirt, knee high stockings, black tap shoes

Kinsley

black hijab, green tulle shirt, flower print white tank top, dark brown sandal

An 8 year old indian girl with long brown hair, wearing a black hijab, a green tulle shirt, a flower print white tank top, and dark brown sandals

Veda

curly hair, high top sneakers, jean short, blue tank top, freckles, white bluey backpack

A 8 year old afro-american boy with freckles

An 8 year old black boy with short curly black hair, freckles, wearing a blue tank top, jean shorts, high top sneakers, and carrying a white Bluey backpack

Kingston

As culture day approaches, Mai decides that this year will be the year that she volunteers to show off her Hmong culture. She often feels that her classmate don't understand her culture, so this time, Mai will go all out and share the beauty of her culture by bringing food to share and traditional Hmong embroidered outfits to show.