Drawn Together

Review by Kerry Hallee

Drawn Together by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat
 

This book is about a young boy and his grandfather.  They are worlds apart – in the food they eat, in their interests, and in the language they speak.  There is silence and an inability for them to connect with each other. Then they find something in common – drawing.  Through this unspoken language they are able to communicate, connect, and form a meaningful relationship with each other.  The illustrations beautifully evoke the differences between the grandfather and his grandson, and then connect their two worlds.

This is a book for everyone.  It is about family.  It is about how we relate to each other.  It is about finding connections. It is about language and culture.   Children will love this book because of the gorgeous illustrations and the fun way the boy connects with his grandfather. This book would be an excellent interactive read aloud in elementary or even middle school.  It could lead to conversations about many important topics including what we have in common, how we communicate with each other, what we do when we can’t find a way to communicate, and home languages and cultures.  It is a delightful story that will draw you in and leave you feeling optimistic that despite any difference, we can find ways to connect.  

Book Trailer with Illustrator Dan Santat, Caldecott Medalist

Classroom Discussion Guide developed by the author and his wife