Creator
Vickie In
Credited author of a bilingual Khmer and English board book retelling the story of Moni Mekhala.
Vickie In is the credited author of the Moni Mekhala board book, a Khmer and English retelling of the story of the ocean goddess Moni Mekhala.[1][2] The Cambodian American Literary Arts Association included the book in its AANHPI Heritage Month children's book list.[1]
Works
The Moni Mekhala board book is 18 cm (7 in) square, with full-page color illustrations. Its text is in Khmer and English, with transliteration.[2] It is mainly a picture book: the illustrations carry the story, and common words and phrases support it.[2]
The story begins with the wise hermit Lok Da Moni Eysei, who lives in the forest with his two students, Moni Mekhala and the fire demon Ream Eyso. In an early test, the students must collect a jar of morning dew. Moni Mekhala gathers the dew by leaving her scarf on a tree branch overnight. She wins a magic crystal ball, and Ream Eyso receives a crystal axe as a consolation prize. Their battle in the sky is believed to cause lightning and thunder. After the conflict Moni Mekhala forgives Ream Eyso, but he stays jealous and keeps chasing her.[2]