BookDragon Books for the Diverse Reader

Leave it to the Global Fund for Children (and the always innovative small press Charlesbridge) to offer a colorful new book that uses a clever game of hide-and-seek to celebrate our differences, while sharing our universal sameness. And, of course, novelist/playwright/cartoonist Manjula Padmanabhan also deserves equal praise for her entertaining, enlightening creation.

Although 80% of the U.S population speaks only English (I confess I cringed at that statistic, given how so much of the rest of the world is multi-lingual), many many many languages were brought to American shores from all over the world. We are, after all, a continent of immigrants, with roots that extend all over the world over hundreds and hundreds of years, as well as origins that begin right here for indigenous Americans.

Here you’ll learn how to say, “Can you find me?” in 16 different languages – from Hebrew to Cree to Hawaiian to Arabic to Chinese to Spanish to Nahuatl to even American Sign Language (!) – along with 16 puzzles in which you’ll need to identify the one crow, iguana, flower, ladder, key, etc. etc. that is not like the others.

With each puzzle, you also get a little language lesson, including the many words from various other languages that have become a part of everyday English. Take a guess where these words might have originated: hallelujah, ukulele, giraffe, candy, tote, silk, shampoo, and so many more. You’ll just have to get the book if you’re not sure of the answers!

In case you needed any more convincing, click here to hear some of the Global Fund staff read to you from this delightful title. Don’t you want to join in?

Readers: Children

Published: 2011