• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2
• Reading age: 3 to 7

A boy has some unexpected encounters in his neighborhood in this wordless book about celebrating differences and building bridges.

In this wordless picture book, a Deaf boy and his mother enjoy a walk through their community. Together, they greet their neighbors, stop by the playground, spy a bird's nest in a tree and buy cookies at the grocery store. Later, they visit their new neighbors, a woman and her daughter, who have only recently immigrated from another country. Although the girl is shy, and the two kids speak different languages --- American Sign Language (ASL) and Arabic --- find a way to communicate and become fast friends.

This sweet story by critically acclaimed author Deborah Kerbel explores the art of appreciating the world and the people around us and finding points of connection. Deaf illustrator Isaac Liang lends his lived experience to the visual story, choosing details and perspectives that reveal the world as it's experienced by the boy. At the heart of the story is a timely message about breaking down barriers and finding common ground, no matter our differences. Wordless picture books engage children's attention to detail as they follow the narrative of the story in the pictures, building their visual literacy and critical thinking skills. This book has curriculum connections to social studies lessons on community building and immigration, as well as to the character education values of empathy and kindness. It also models the practice of welcoming newcomers to our communities. A few ASL signs are demonstrated and translated within the story.

DEBORAH KERBEL a écrit des livres pour les jeunes adultes, les préadolescents et les lecteurs débutants. Ses romans ont été présélectionnés pour les Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général, le prix du livre de l’année pour les jeunes adultes de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques et le Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award. Elle vit à Toronto avec son mari, ses deux adolescents et Freddie, leur chien adopté.

DEBORAH KERBEL was born in London, England, and now lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, son and daughter, and a rescue dog named Freddie. Deborah has written a number of picture books, and is the author of four young adult and two middle-grade novels, including My Deal with the Universe. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, and many readers’ choice awards. Visit her online at www.deborahkerbel.com.

Deborah Kerbel's profile page

Isaac Liang is a Deaf illustrator based in Singapore. Through his illustrations and animation, he tells uniquely visual stories. His clients include children's book publishers, Singapore Art Museum and The Singapore Association for the Deaf. To learn more, visit at www.isaacliang.com

Isaac Liang's profile page

• Short-listed, IBBY Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities List, International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY)
• Joint winner, First and Best, Toronto Public Library

A wonderful demonstration of the universality of friendship, this is a first-choice selection for school and public libraries that value diversity and representation.

Children's Literature

... a worthy purchase ... The well-portrayed insight into the world of those who are hearing impaired or deaf as well as the inclusion of American Sign Language in the book also add to its significance and value for book collections. Highly Recommended.

CM Magazine