Chi Thai’s ‘The Endless Sea’ offers a child’s perspective on displacement, highlighting the crucial role of young people’s literature in fostering empathy for refugees
As the world continues to grapple with the urgent realities of ongoing refugee crises, the need for understanding and empathy towards those displaced from their homes has never been greater. In this context, the publication of Chi Thai’s children book, The Endless Sea, illustrated by Linh Dao, takes on particular significance. Released by Walker Books to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in April 2025, the book offers a deeply personal and accessible entry point into the complex experience of being a refugee, specifically aimed at young readers.
The end of the Vietnam War in 1975 triggered a significant wave of displacement, with countless individuals and families forced to flee their homeland due to political upheaval and its aftermath. Among those were the “boat people,” who embarked on perilous journeys across the sea in search of safety. Chi Thai’s The Endless Sea draws directly from this historical reality, recounting her own experience as a young child escaping Vietnam.
The book launch event, hosted by Juniper by the Sea ESEA Bookshop, underscored the importance of amplifying such narratives. Zoe Li, the bookshop’s founder, articulated the profound impact of connecting with stories that resonate on a personal and collective level. “Stories shape families, generations, and children to come,” she noted, “emphasising the importance of sharing and preserving experiences.” The Endless Sea contributes to this preservation by offering a child’s-eye view of a significant historical event and its human cost.
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Addressing difficult themes such as displacement, fear, and loss in children’s literature requires sensitivity and care. Chi Thai’s book navigates these complexities by presenting them through the innocent perspective of her four-year-old self. This allows young readers to engage with challenging subjects without being overwhelmed, fostering a foundational understanding of the refugee experience. The illustrations by Linh Dao play a crucial role in this delicate balance, conveying emotion and atmosphere in a way that complements the text and enhances its impact for a young audience.
By grounding the narrative in her own life, Chi Thai’s work achieves a powerful level of humanisation. In a world often saturated with abstract statistics and detached news coverage of refugee crises, The Endless Sea brings the experience down to an individual level, allowing readers to connect with the emotions and uncertainties of a single child’s journey.
“As much as this story is deeply personal,” Chi Thai explained at the book launch, “it’s a journey many people go through.” This personal connection serves as a vital bridge, fostering empathy by highlighting the shared humanity of those who have been forced to seek refuge.
The cultivation of empathy in young readers is a crucial outcome of engaging with books like “The Endless Sea.” By stepping into the shoes of a child refugee, young people can develop a greater understanding of the challenges and fears faced by those who have been uprooted from their homes. This empathetic understanding forms the bedrock of a more compassionate and informed perspective towards refugees in the wider world.
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The publication of The Endless Sea also holds particular significance for the Vietnamese diaspora in the UK. The book launch served as a gathering point for this community, providing an opportunity to reflect on shared histories and experiences of displacement and resettlement. Chi Thai’s voice joins a growing chorus of diaspora artists who are claiming space to tell their own stories. “Being a child of the diaspora,” Chi Thai observed, “is a unique experience… Your lived experiences shape how you navigate the world and how others perceive you.” Books like The Endless Sea contribute to a more inclusive and representative literary landscape.
The power of storytelling, particularly within diaspora communities, cannot be overstated. It serves as a vital means of preserving cultural heritage, fostering a sense of identity, and promoting understanding across generations. By sharing her personal experience, Chi Thai contributes to this important work, offering a narrative that can resonate deeply within the Vietnamese community and beyond.
Ultimately, The Endless Sea underscores the vital role that children’s literature can play in education and fostering a more compassionate understanding of global issues. By offering an accessible and human-centred perspective on the refugee experience, Chi Thai and Linh Dao have created a book that can spark important conversations and cultivate empathy in young readers.
The Endless Sea by Chi Thai and illustrated by Linh Dao is available for purchase from all good bookshops and online retailers.
