PRAISE

Charlotte Huck Recommended Book

Common Sense Media Selection

BEST OF THE YEAR

Kirkus · Parents · Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association · Chicago Public Library · Washington Post · Evanston Public Library · Los Angeles Public Library

★ “The execution is stellar, creating a viscerally uncomfortable experience while also infusing the narrative with humor throughout. A visually and emotionally immersive immigration story.”

—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

★ “A delightful first day of school story. Beginning readers will love this book as the illustrations say it all. He has precisely captured the emotions of a child starting school in a new place.”

—School Library Connection (starred)

★ “This picture book brilliantly conveys how terrifying and confusing it can be to adapt to a strange country and how much even one person’s acts of kindness can help. This is a story that will give hope to kids dealing with a new country and could inspire others to reach out to struggling immigrant children.”

—Booklist (starred)

“Masterly. A tender reflection of what it feels like, after being socially on the outside, when linguistic connections spark and fizz, and one’s first few words (‘tree,’ ‘boat,’ ‘book’) suddenly multiply to equal ‘home.’”

—The New York Times 

“Vo’s heartwarming immigration story is ­beautifully told, with multimedia illustrations that shine on each spread. This ­uplifting ­story is a welcome addition to any collection.”

—School Library Journal 

“Artwork, though, fills in much of the emotional experience from Dat’s side of the language divide. He ideates the gibberish-spewing school community as black and white cartoon characters that stylistically recall George Herriman’s language-challenged Krazy Kat.”

—The Bulletin

“Splendid…A powerful story about compassion and finding one’s voice. There are an increasing number of picture books about immigration, but this one stands above the rest in its brilliant and deeply felt depiction of how it feels for children just like Dat.”

—Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast 

“Brilliant, metaphorical illustrations move from cartooney black and white to realistic color to illuminate Vo’s exceptional storytelling… It’s a must-share book that beautifully shows the challenges of language learning.”

—Melissa Taylor, Imagination Soup 

“The ingenuity and playfulness of the art, as well as the book's overarching message, make this title a must for any child's library.”

—Shelf Awareness