Drawn Together by Minh Le

In the book Drawn Together by author Minh Le and illustrator Dan Santat, a boy and his grandfather struggle to communicate. The boy only speaks English and the grandfather only speaks Thai. They are alone together and seem unable to communicate even though they are family. Out of frustration and boredom, the boy starts to sketch in his notebook. When the grandfather picks up his notebook and begins sketching the two start on a journey all their own. This story about overcoming differences, even in your own family, will empower and encourage you to find ways to connect with others even when it seems impossible.

Minh Le and Dan Santat provide a relatable story that may be familiar with many readers. Generational differences in assimilation or adoption/adaptation with culture. Some readers may identify as American through language, dress, and other customs while older generations preserve their first culture. The disconnect between culture is common to many readers, especially children as they navigate between differences. This book shares an idea of how families can connect and communicate within their differences and still preserve their identity and perspective.

The text in this book is simple, yet the illustrations are striking and powerful yet masterfully interwoven as grandfather and grandson learn to collaborate together. I would recommend this books for anyone who has been stuck between two spaces and finds connecting with another difficult. Readers may fin that they cannot help but be Drawn Together in this read.  

Watch an interview with illustrator Dan Santat:

Listen and watch a read aloud: