Mali Under the Night Sky, a 2011 Skipping Stones honor book, is the true story of Laotian American artist Malichansouk Kouanchao, whose family was forced by civil war to flee Laos when she was five. Before the war began, Mali lived an idyllic life in a community where she felt safe and was much loved. But the coming war caused her family to flee to another country and a life that was less than ideal. What did she carry with her? She carried her memories. And they in turn carried her across the world, sharing where she is from and all that she loves with the people she meets. Terry Hong of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program's BOOK DRAGON, giving context to Youme's remarkable book, said, "Today, December 7, marks the 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, 'a date which will live in infamy,' Seven decades later, infamy lives on, stealing childhoods, families, homes, lives. Now as another year comes to a close, we pray for peace again and again again and again [Mali Under the Night Sky] is another hopeful, urgent prayer." And the Midwest Book Review calls it "a soul-stirring picturebook about the difficulties faced by wartime refugees, and deserves the highest recommendation." Youme Landowne is an energetic and joyful painter, book artist, and activist who thrives in the context of public art. Youme has lived in and learned from the United States, Kenya, Japan, Laos, Haiti, and Cuba. In all of these places, she has worked with communities and individuals to make art that honors personal and cultural wisdom, creating community murals, illustrating tiny books, and teaching poetry in schools.

 

This book was recognised by the Skipping Stones Honor Award.

This book has been graded for interest at 5-10 years.

There are 40 pages in this book. This book was published 2010 by Cinco Puntos Press, U. S. .

Diana Cohn is an educator with an active commitment to social justice work. She was a classroom teacher and trained teachers for many years and now works for a national foundation that supports communities working for economic and environmental justice. Diana has published two widely acclaimed books with Cinco Puntos, !Si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! and The Bee Tree. She currently lives in northern California and is a member of the National Writers Union. Youme Landowne grew up loving stories. She has lived and worked as a community artist in New York, New Haven, Miami, Woods Hole, San Francisco, Kenya, Japan, Lao P. D. R. , Vietnam, St. John, U. S. V. I. , Haiti and Cuba. Youme's books include Selavi (That Is Life) -A Haitian Story of Hope, Mali Under the Night Sky-A Lao Story of Home, and Pitch Black with Anthony Horton. She is drawn to stories of survival and champions for social justice. Youme lives in an ever changing location with her partner and their two children.