A Few Thoughts on Dad is and Mom is: The Messages Hidden Between the Pages
- Dec 5, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 2
After a long journey of love and dedication, Chuột Đất Books is delighted to finally introduce the complete pair: Dad is and Mom is. Beyond being two heartfelt picture books celebrating parents, these companion titles are carefully woven together, each completing the other to convey a deeper message about family.
Mom is: Strength Hidden in What Seems Fragile
In Mom is, the author deliberately moves away from familiar symbols often associated with motherhood, such as the moon, the sea, or a cradle. Instead, Mom is portrayed through ordinary objects from everyday life, arranged in a sequence that becomes increasingly small and delicate - from a stroller and a pillow to a pencil and finally a handkerchief.
The final spread offers a quiet yet powerful affirmation: no matter how small or gentle she may seem, Mom holds an irreplaceable place at the heart of a modern Vietnamese family: "When Dad is home, Mom is the boss.". Through this ending, the author shares a simple but meaningful reminder: Mothers deserve to be cherished because they are the life force that keeps a family thriving. Mom is portrays the modern Vietnamese mother as someone who gracefully balances her role in society with the calling of motherhood. She is courageous enough to set aside career ambitions, social status, and personal achievements so she can devote herself to raising and nurturing young hearts.
Dad is: Strength, Protection, and the Beauty of Being Ordinary
In contrast, the imagery throughout Dad is gradually grows stronger and more rugged, portraying Dad as a steadfast shield protecting his children.
Yet in the final illustration, Dad appears smaller beside Mom within the warmth of home a gentle reminder that fathers, too, deserve a place where they can simply be themselves. A place where they don't have to constantly strive to be the "perfect father" or the family's unwavering pillar.
The author also highlights another important message: spending time playing with children may sound simple, but it is something not every father truly does. What matters is never expensive toys or grand gestures - it is sincerity. Even an ordinary cardboard box can become the setting for precious moments shared between Dad and his children. And it is those simple moments that remain in our hearts for a lifetime.
Two Books, One Shared Message
Through Dad is and Mom is, the author hopes these two books will become more than bedtime stories. Together, they are intended to be a bridge connecting every member of a Vietnamese family - especially strengthening the bond between Mom and Dad—so that love, understanding, and appreciation can continue to grow at home.
Open Dad Is and Mom Is with your little one and discover the warmth of a parent's love through every page.
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