Tấm and Cám

A Simplified Version of the Vietnamese Cinderella Story

Do you know the story of an orphaned girl who lived with her wicked stepmother and stepsister?  Do you remember how she lost a slipper and later went on to marry the prince?  Between those plot points, did you know she had a fish named Bống, whom she loved very much, and that she had a fairy godfather (Ông Bụt)?  Her name was Tấm. 

The story of Tấm and Cám is a classic tale told and retold to kids in Vietnam.  This 24-page book brings Tấm and Cám to a new generation of multicultural Vietnamese children.  Fans of the original story will find this simplified version tailored to an age-appropriate audience, best suited for children ages 3-6.  Like Cinderella, this version also ends with our protagonist Tấm, marrying her true love. 

" Hi there - I'm Jessie! em bé books is my small business based in the Bay Area.  em bé means "baby" in Vietnamese.

I originally wrote bilingual stories for my babies to learn basic words and concepts.  As em bé books (and my children) grew, I started writing books that highlight the richness of Vietnamese culture to inspire their curiosity in their ancestral land and learn conversational Vietnamese. 

Like many of you, bilingualism is a work in progress in our household.  It looks different day-to-day, and I strive for practice and comprehension rather than perfection. 

I hope em bé books provides your family with the tools to make learning Vietnamese easy and fun, wherever you are in your own bilingual journey. "  - Jessie