Thao Lam

Thao Lam is a Vietnamese-Canadian children's author and illustrator who lives in Toronto, Ontario. Her works are completed in a collage style. Her newest book, Everybelly, received a Kirkus Prize on October 9, 2025 and her previous book, One Giant Leap, was shortlisted for a 2024 Governor General's Literary Award.

The animated film, Boat People, co-directed with animator Kjell Boersma based on Lam's 2020 book The Paper Boat, won the award for Best Animated Short Film at the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival.

Early life and education Lam came to Canada with her parents at the age of 3, as a refugee from Vietnam. She credits picture books for helping her settle into life in Canada, particularly the works of children's author Eric Carle and David Wiesner.

Lam studied illustration at Toronto's Sheridan College.

Works

Films Boat People (2023)

Description: As a child in Vietnam, Thao’s mother often rescued ants from bowls of sugar water. Years later they would return the favor. Boat People is an animated documentary that uses a striking metaphor to trace one family’s flight across the turbulent waters of history. Co-Directors: Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma Produced by: The National Film Board of Canada, 2023

Awards and nominations

Book Awards Everybelly

Awards and honours:

Kirkus Prize, Young Readers Literature, 2025

The Line in the Sand

Awards and honours:

A Kirkus 150 Most Anticipated Fall Books, 2022 A CBC Best Canadian Picture Book of 2022 A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year, 2022 A Book Riot Must-Read Picture Book of 2022

THAO: A Picture Book

Awards and honours:

A Junior Library Guild selection, 2021 A CBC Best Canadian Picture Book, 2021 A New York Public Library Vibrant Voices selection, 2022 A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2022 A USBBY Outstanding Books List selection, 2022 A CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens selection, 2021

The Paper Boat

Awards and honours:

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2020 A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2020 A New York Public Library 100 Best Books for Kids selection, 2020 A Booklist Editors' Choice, 2020 A Globe and Mail Best Book of 2020 A Canadian Children's Book Centre Favourite Book of 2020 A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Selection, 2020 A CBC Best Canadian Picture Book of 2020 A USBBY Outstanding International Books List selection, 2021 An Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award Honour Book, 2020 An International Board on Books for Young People Silent Books Collection selection, 2020 A Kids Book Choice Awards Best Book of the Year: 3rd–4th Grade nominee, 2021 A CCBC Best Book for Kids and Teens starred selection, 2021 A TD Summer Reading Club Top Recommended Read, 2022

My Cat Looks Like My Dad

Awards and honours:

A Quill & Quire Cover of the Year, 2019 A Booklist Editors' Choice, 2019 A Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection, 2019

Wallpaper

Awards and honours:

Cybils Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards – Shortlisted A Kirkus Best Children's Book of 2018 A New York Public Library 100 Best Books for Kids selection, 2018 An Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award nominee, 2018 An International Board on Books for Young People Silent Books Collection selection

Skunk on a String

Awards and honours:

A Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens nominee A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2016 A Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection A Toronto Public Library First and Best List selection, 2016 An International Board on Books for Young People Silent Books Collection selection

Film Awards

Grand Jury Prize, Animated Short Film — Calgary International Animation Festival Best Canadian Animation Short — Vancouver Asian Film Festival 2023 Jury Winner for Best Animated Short and Audience Award for Animated Short — New Orleans Film Festival Milos Stehlik Global Impact Award Winner — Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Winner of Diversity Award — Spark Animation Festival Audience Award, Best Animated Short — Coronado Island Film Festival Audience Award — New Orleans Film Festival