HOANG-OANH DAO                                   Cindy Dao

​My given name is Dao thi Hoang-Oanh, meaning a rare yellow (Hoang), singing bird (Oanh).  And I do love to sing, reading and telling stories to anyone who would listen.  I tell the most exciting stories, fiction or non-fiction, to my family, friends, and students.  But most people know me as Cindy Dao.

​

I was born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in San Jose, California.  I was mesmerized about becoming a teacher when both of my parents took me to work where they were teaching.  At the tender age of four, I was determined to become a teacher.  I am a preschool teacher today.  During circle time, I love to read and tell stories to my students.  It’s very exciting and rewarding to see their face expressions after a reading.

​

Because both of our parents were working twelve to sixteen hours a day, my siblings and I were left with the responsibility of helping each other to cope with daily issues growing up and keeping each other from walking off the path of success.  To us, success is a mixture of family, love, happiness, education, and compassion.  My five siblings and I were very fortunate to have a childhood with strong family values.  I love being a sister under two protective and considerate brothers, and I love being the nurturing, oldest sister of three.  I don’t understand how anyone would not!  Thanks to my siblings, I have learned that love comes in different sizes and forms when and where it is needed.  And I want to share that love with everyone, especially with the little ones.

​

I live in San Jose near my family with my three boys and dog, Gucci.  In my spare time, when I am not teaching, I love to read, write, or learn something new.  My current project is to learn how to paint.  It is harder than it looks!

​ 

Mama? is my first children's book.  My students and I had fun putting the book together.  They saw how it was made, the writing, editing, sketching, and printing.  And I am so glad that I listened to them! 

​ 

I am also a young adult's author, Cindy Dao.  Whether it's writing children's or young adult's books, my goal is to make you feel.  And to feel is to live.