Schedule

Saturday, August 20, 2022
10 a.m. Program

Join us and the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association (VCSA) as we welcome award-winning children's author Joanna Ho for a virtual reading of her latest picture book, Eyes That Speak to the Stars. The poetic story — beautifully illustrated by Dung Ho — touches on themes of intergenerational bonds, self-love, and identity. Following the story time, guests of all ages can participate in a live online Q&A and enjoy interactive, creative activities, including custom lanterns.

All guests attending the program are also welcome to visit Asia Society Texas' current project, Artists on Site Series 3.

About the Author

Joanna Ho is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of many books for kids. Her debut picture book, Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, won the Golden Kite Award. Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma, was an Ezra Jack Keats Honor Book. Her other picture books include Eyes that Speak to the Stars, One Day (2023), The Wave Riders (2023), Say My Name (2023), Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders (2024), and When Light Divides (2024). Her debut YA novel, The Silence that Binds Us, was released in June 2022.

She is a writer and educator with a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development creator partnering with educational leaders around the country.

She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area, where she survives on homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids. Keep your eyes open for more books to come! Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or visit her website at https://www.joannahowrites.com/.

About the Moderator

Christine Tran is an elementary school counselor in Cypress Fairbanks ISD. She holds a Master of Education, Professional School Counseling degree from The University of St. Thomas and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Houston Baptist University. Previously, she had worked as an elementary math and science teacher for eight years. As a school counselor, Christine incorporates social-emotional learning, mentoring and multicultural awareness while working with students and is passionate about working with youth to learn about rich cultural diversity in the community and to share their cultural heritage with others. She currently serves as the VP of Community Outreach for the Houston area non-profit organization, Vietnamese Culture and Science Association. Follow her on Twitter!

Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas Center are presented by Wells Fargo. Generous funding also provided by​ Cathay Bank Foundation and the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation. Additional support is provided by Friends of Asia Society Texas Center, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in exhibitions and public programming to Houston. This program was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and by The City of Houston Through Houston Arts Alliance.

Presenting Sponsor

Additional Support

Presenting Program Partner

Program Support

About Asia Society at Home

We are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.