Little Bird Laila
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
From New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Kelly Yang and Xindi Yan, is a joyful story of a Chinese American girl translating for her immigrant parents
Laila knows how clever, kind, and funny her Mama and Baba are—but sometimes they need her help translating things from English. With English classes being too expensive, Laila decides to become her parents’ teacher, even though she’s just learning the language too. There’s lots that Laila knows (like you don’t pronounce the t in ballet) but there’s so much she doesn’t know too. Together, they embrace the joy and struggles of learning a new language.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Mama calls me her little bird. I'm always whispering in her ear, telling her everything that's going on," begins this enthusiastic picture book narrated by a child, Laila, who often translates English for her Chinese-speaking parents. "It's pretty cool being so important all the time," but, Laila admits, "it's also a lot of work." When English classes for her parents prove spendy ("People say America is free, but it's actually really expensive"), Laila offers to teach them—though she's still learning idioms ("Maybe I can spread my wings and try!"). As the winning, bright-eyed protagonist takes the lead, Yang and Yan focus on sunny, funny moments while lightly acknowledging that "it's not easy teaching old birds new tricks." Digital paintings feature fully realized, expressive figures against desaturated scenery. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 5–9.
