From Refugee to Bestselling Children's Author
In this heartwarming episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with the extraordinary Anh Do - a comedian, actor, author, and artist who's captured the hearts of millions with his incredible storytelling.
Anh Do's latest book, Wolf Girl, isn't just another children's novel - it's a powerful narrative inspired by his own remarkable life story. Born in Vietnam and escaping as a refugee on a tiny nine-meter fishing boat, Do brings a unique perspective to children's literature that's both entertaining and deeply meaningful.
Wolf Girl follows the adventures of Gwen, a young girl separated from her family during an invasion, who finds a new family among a pack of dogs. Sound familiar? That's because Do weaves his own family's survival story into his narratives, creating books that are simultaneously fun, touching, and inspirational.
With over 100 books published and more than 10 million copies sold worldwide, Do isn't just an author - he's a storytelling phenomenon. His approach to writing is refreshingly honest: create lots of content, knowing not everything will be perfect, but some gems will emerge. This philosophy, learned from his stand-up comedy days, has served him well across multiple creative disciplines.
Do's commitment to children's literacy goes beyond writing. He's donated 40,000 books to disadvantaged children in Australia, remembering how five-cent books from thrift stores helped him fall in love with reading as a child.
Upcoming fans can look forward to Wolf Girl becoming a film and his Weirdo series becoming a TV show - proving that Do's creative universe is expanding faster than ever.
The episode is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling. Do's message is clear: dream big, work hard, and never be afraid to fail.
Parents, educators, and kids alike will be inspired by this incredible conversation that proves sometimes the most amazing stories come from real life.

We also speak with author Karen Steele about her picture book The Little Girl Who Never Listened.

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Anh Do: Laughter, Resilience, and Inspiring Young Readers

Reading With Your Kids Podcast