BEST OF THE YEAR: Kirkus · Parents Magazine · APALA · Chicago Public Library · Washington Post · Evanston Public Library · Los Angeles Public Library

A touching story about the power of play to break down barriers — perfect for back to school season!

It’s Dat’s first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn’t know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says — from the school bus driver to his new classmates — sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can’t understand each other?

Luckily there’s a friendly girl in Dat’s class who knows that there are other ways to communicate, besides just talking. Could she help make sense of the gibberish?

Now in Spanish!

P R A I S E

Common Sense Media Selection

Charlotte Huck Recommended Book

“A superb picture book.”

—The Wall Street Journal

“Masterly. A tender reflection.”

—The New York Times

★ “The execution is stellar. A visually and emotionally immersive immigration story.”

—Kirkus (starred)

★ “Delightful. Beginning readers will love this book as the illustrations say it all.”

—School Library Connection (starred)

★ “Will give hope to kids dealing with a new country and could inspire others to reach out to struggling immigrant children.”

—Booklist (starred)