Thi Bui is a Vietnamese-American author and illustrator best known for her critically acclaimed debut graphic novel, "The Best We Could Do." This memoir, which explores her family's journey from Vietnam to the United States as refugees, has been widely praised for its poignant storytelling and evocative artwork. Bui's work blends personal narrative with historical context, offering a deeply human perspective on migration, memory, and intergenerational trauma.
Born in Vietnam, Bui immigrated to the U.S. as a child and later studied art and law. Though she initially considered a career as a civil rights lawyer, she ultimately became a public school teacher before dedicating herself to writing and illustration. Her background in education and her family's refugee experience deeply inform her creative work, which often centers on themes of displacement, identity, and resilience. Bui resides in Berkeley, California, with her husband, son, and mother.