CCBC Booklists

CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.

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The Words We Share

by Jack Wong

CCBC Review:

Angie has been helping her father translate from Cantonese ever since they arrived in Canada. Going to school has helped her learn English more quickly, and she assists with reading menus and labels, and in conversations. When helping her dad make signs for his workplace, she gets the idea to help other Chinese business owners with signs, like writing the daily specials in English on the sandwich board for Mrs. Fong’s canteen. However, when one of Angie’s laundromat instructions accidentally shrinks a customer’s laundry, Angie needs her dad to help smooth things over with Mr. Chu. To Angie’s surprise, Mr. Chu and her dad start speaking Hakka, discovering that they grew up in the same area. This time, Angie’s dad is the one whose language skills make a connection and Angie is the one dependent on his translation. Intentional use of Chinese characters and English text in italics reinforces dialog and language differences in this thoughtful immigration story that concludes with a note from the author. ©2023 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Jack Wong

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-10
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Chinese and Chinese Americans Chinese language Communication Community Fathers Immigration and Immigrants
Diversity subject: Asian
On CCBC Booklist: Picture Books for Older Children and Teens: Never Too Old

Publisher: Annick
Publish Year: 2023
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9781773217970
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Wong

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