My Journey as a Second-Generation Khmer Author

Growing up as a second-generation Cambodian American, the child of Khmer refugees who survived unimaginable hardships to give me a chance at a brighter future, I carry with me an inheritance of resilience, sacrifice, and hope. My parents, like so many who fled the Cambodian Genocide, arrived in the U.S. to rebuild their lives from scratch. They brought with them their memories, traditions, and language, but they also carried scars from the past and dreams for my future. Their story, our story, is woven deeply into who I am today—and now, into the books I create.

As a young child in America, I often felt the distance between my family’s cultural heritage and the world around me. At school, I immersed myself in reading, but as I poured over pages, I noticed a void. Book after book, I rarely, if ever, encountered stories that reflected families like mine, stories that acknowledged the beauty, struggles, and heritage of Khmer culture. The few mentions of Cambodia, if any, were filtered through history lessons about conflict and loss but never delved into the richness of our traditions, language, or experiences. Growing up without literature that represented my identity left me feeling unseen, as if my family’s story was somehow unworthy of inclusion.

It took me years to realize how much this absence impacted me and, later, to find the power in rewriting that narrative for a new generation. I began envisioning stories that I would have loved to read as a child—stories that celebrate the strength of Khmer families, the beauty of our traditions, and the power of embracing one's heritage. I wanted to create literature that would connect young Khmer American children with their roots, so they feel the same pride in their culture that I have come to cherish as an adult.

Through Lotus Press, I aim to tell stories that reflect our lived experiences and uplift children from all backgrounds, showing them the beauty and strength within their heritage. I want my books to provide mirrors for young Khmer Americans and windows for children of all backgrounds to explore and appreciate the diversity of our world. Representation matters, and I hope my work helps children feel seen, valued, and connected to a larger cultural story.

This journey has been both a personal and professional labor of love—one that began as a whisper of an idea, fueled by the legacy of my parents, and has grown into a mission to empower young minds. For all the second-generation children who long to see themselves in the books they read, and for families who want to share stories that reflect their heritage with pride, these books are for you.

Through storytelling, I hope to honor my family’s journey, celebrate Khmer culture, and contribute to a future where all children can find themselves reflected in literature. Every story matters, and this is just the beginning.