Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena Kong often felt invisible—a feeling that followed her from Canada to the U.S. and ultimately inspired her to write Grateful Being Me, a book to help children understand representation matters.
Seeing Herself in Stories
Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena often felt invisible.
“I truly believed as a child that no one else could relate to these feelings I was experiencing,” she shares. “That’s why I wanted to share my story with others.”
Raised by supportive parents, Deena became a passionate reader, ultimately leading her to create a book that would help children from similar backgrounds see themselves represented.
“Representation matters,” Deena explains. “When a child wanders through a library or bookstore, they should be able to find themselves in the stories and pictures. I hope Grateful Being Me encourages self-acceptance, celebrates diversity, and promotes inclusion by empowering children to connect with one another.”
The Making of Grateful Being Me
Finding time to write proved challenging while working full-time as a Government Contractor in Ethics & Compliance and raising a family. Yet Deena’s determination to promote diversity and inclusion kept her going until her book was ready for publication.
“Modeled after my real-life experiences, this book follows a young girl named Rosila on her adventure in an unfamiliar place,” Deena says proudly.
The story chronicles Rosila’s first day at a new school in a new country, where she discovers what makes her unique and learns the power of self-love.
“Rosila’s first language isn’t English, so her vocabulary stands out,” Deena notes. “She brings ethnic foods that seem unusual compared to typical American cafeteria lunches. The story captures her nervousness about how classmates will react as she navigates this new environment and makes friends.”
Through Grateful Being Me, Deena offers a powerful tool to help children understand they belong anywhere. The book thoughtfully explores the complex emotions children face when encountering unfamiliar situations, ultimately showing them that their uniqueness is something to be celebrated.
Connect
Instagram: @bydeenakong
Website: Deena Kong
Purchase your copy of Grateful Being Me on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Books-A-Million.
