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  • Published: 2 August 2022
  • ISBN: 9781760897161
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 224
  • RRP: $16.99

What About Thao?




From the author of the bestselling Thai-riffic, Con-nerd and The Other Christy comes a funny and heartfelt novel for 10+ about a city kid in a small country town who's enjoying being the new kid at his tiny two-teacher school – until Kadir arrives and things get interesting!

In his signature style, Oliver creates a fabulously diverse and heartfelt duo in Thao and Kadir and their sometimes hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenching dilemmas of culture and belonging in a remote rural community. Throw in some slam poetry and it might just end in a lifelong friendship and a whole lot more understanding.

  • Published: 2 August 2022
  • ISBN: 9781760897161
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 224
  • RRP: $16.99

About the author

Oliver Phommavanh

Oliver is a young Thai-Australian writer for children. He has featured on panels at the Sydney Writers' Festival among many other appearances at festivals and writing events as well as in blogs. He has worked as a primary school teacher and now spends his time writing and sharing his writing passion with kids and engaging them with humour. He's also a stand-up comedian and has appeared on national TV and radio as well as a number of well-known comedy venues such as the Comedy Store in Sydney. His first book for upper primary, Thai-riffic!, was published to critical acclaim, followed by Con-nerd, Punchlines, Thai-no-mite, The Other Christy, Super Con-nerd, Natural Born Loser and, most recently, Don't Follow Vee. For younger readers he wrote Ethan in the Stuff Happens series.

Also by Oliver Phommavanh

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Awards & recognition

CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Notable Book  •  2023  •  Younger Readers

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We sat down with Oliver Phommavanh to talk about his new book, What About Thao? Learn all about it and the personality traits he shares with the main characters.

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Teachers' notes