For gay moms and dads looking to share affirming books that reflect their own familys culture and love, fashion designer Thi Nguyns childrens book Mais o Diis a must.The gay Vietnamese-American made a name for himself as a fixture on the red carpet, accompanying his clients while making his own fashion statements. Hes also the host of Say I Do, a Netflix reality show where couples marry in fashionable (and quickly arranged) weddings. Related 20 exceptional LGBTQ+ childrens books your kids should read immediately In a million years, I never thought I would become an author, but opportunity comes, he told Good Morning America. Its definitely a magical experience.Mais o Di celebrates the title characters preparation for the Lunar New Year, and the fashions that come with it. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today o means shirt, and di means long, so its a long shirt, Nguyn explained. Its similar to a tunic, and you wear it with pants. Anyone who is Vietnamese has worn one at some point in their life.The idea forMais o Dicame after Nguyn dressed Star Warsactress Kelly Marie Tran, the first woman of color to take a lead in the franchise, playing Rose Tico in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2017.She asked for Nguyns help celebrating her cultural heritage in a very public way, so Nguyn designed ano di. Its impact was inspiring. We made that ensemble in 16 hours, and then it became this iconic moment for the whole community and the inspiration for Mais o Di, he told Pride.The story opens on the morning of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, and Mai cant wait to celebrate at her beloved grandmothers home. While she has a sparkly Cinderella dress in mind, her gay dad suggests she wear an o di.Shes clearly disappointed. But her Ba tells her the story of her grandmother, or Ba Noi, who sewed a beautiful, highly sought-after o di in Vietnam before bringing her talents, or magic, with her when she immigrated to the United States. Then her eyesight began to fade.But how can Ba Noi know what Mais wearing if she cant see so well? Mai asks her dad.We wear our o di because we love her, Mai, he tells his young daughter. Thats the greatest thing about love. You dont have to see love to know its there.While Vietnamese culture is front and center in the book, its LGBTQ+ theme is more subtle. Readers see Mai and her dads together only when they arrive at the Tet celebration. But for gay parents, the appearance has a profound impact. Gay Vietnamese parents in particular have told Nguyn, I wish I had this book growing up because for a very long time we had to hide ourselves. There was no exposure whether on media or in literature, so this was not just only for the kids, but also for the adults, he explained. They appreciate that there is a book like that out there for the kids to see themselves.Its really about exposure, Nguyn said. Its not just about race, but its all about identity in general, and queerness as well. We need that exposure.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.