DRAWN TOGETHER

Not much to attract and interest an Indian child.

What a lovely find! It has few words, and I’m not quite sure how it will go over as a read aloud for a whole class, but for sure in a smaller group where students can reflect on what’s happening. Love finding books with characters from diverse backgrounds so that all my kindergartners see themselves represented!

It went down a treat for a 2 year old

A great book to teach about different ways to communicate

This is an incredible book. First, using the power of art to forge a connection across two generations and a seemingly impenetrable language barrier. It’s just beautiful. I don’t think I’ve seen more powerful illustrations. Ever. A young boy of Vietnamese heritage visits his grandfather, who only speaks Vietnamese. And in the book, the grandfather speaks only in Vietnamese characters to make this point very clear. The author and illustrator don’t stop with language, but also illustrate cultural barriers. The boy’s plate is a hot dog and fries with a salad. The grandfather has a bowl of noodles topped with soft boiled eggs. The boy has a fork. The grandfather uses chop sticks. Then they go to watch television and want wildly different shows. It’s not until they start to draw that they cross the literal and figurative chasm to connect. The illustrations! Wow, do they draw reading children into the story! My three kids -4, 6, 9- have asked for this book every bedtime since we got it. And as a former English as a second language teacher with middle school students, well- I wish I’d had this book for my classroom.

It is just wonderful. The message, the artwork, the story. Wonderful!