Drawn Together: An Inspiring Collection of Artwork by Minh L and Dan Santat

T F: It went down a treat for a 2 year old

United Kingdom on Jun 29, 2023

newcentre: It is just wonderful. The message, the artwork, the story. Wonderful!

United States on May 31, 2023

MissKim: I love this book. It hits home for me because there’s a language barrier between me and my grandparents. But I still loved seeing them. My kids are 4 and 2 and may not get it yet. But they loved the art work and that they could make up there own story. The traditional clothes also sparked teachable moments. I’m glad I was able to talk more about our culture.

United States on Aug 29, 2022

Staci Brown: A great book to teach about different ways to communicate

Canada on Aug 29, 2022

JMA Hudson Valley: A grandfather and grandson, seemingly with little in common and, on top of that, with a language barrier, discover a common love of heroic tales and drawing. In alternate illustrations, we see the boy's interpretation of heroism alongside his grandfather's depiction of traditional, legendary heroes. As they continue to work together, their styles start to borrow from one another. Their initial discomfort with one another blooms into admiration, affection, and collaboration. The author is Vietnamese-Canadian and the illustrator is Thai-American, and their respective cultures are represented in the touching storyline and in the vivid artwork.

United States on Jan 10, 2022

Cindy B: What a lovely find! It has few words, and I’m not quite sure how it will go over as a read aloud for a whole class, but for sure in a smaller group where students can reflect on what’s happening. Love finding books with characters from diverse backgrounds so that all my kindergartners see themselves represented!

Canada on Nov 23, 2021

Randy Grice: The kindle version is completely distorted. Half of the page is cutoff completely. This needs to be fixed. There is no value to be gained from the current state. I would like my money back for sure.

Canada on Mar 17, 2021

Family of Five: This is an incredible book. First, using the power of art to forge a connection across two generations and a seemingly impenetrable language barrier. It’s just beautiful. I don’t think I’ve seen more powerful illustrations. Ever. A young boy of Vietnamese heritage visits his grandfather, who only speaks Vietnamese. And in the book, the grandfather speaks only in Vietnamese characters to make this point very clear. The author and illustrator don’t stop with language, but also illustrate cultural barriers. The boy’s plate is a hot dog and fries with a salad. The grandfather has a bowl of noodles topped with soft boiled eggs. The boy has a fork. The grandfather uses chop sticks. Then they go to watch television and want wildly different shows. It’s not until they start to draw that they cross the literal and figurative chasm to connect. The illustrations! Wow, do they draw reading children into the story! My three kids -4, 6, 9- have asked for this book every bedtime since we got it. And as a former English as a second language teacher with middle school students, well- I wish I’d had this book for my classroom.

United States on Mar 16, 2019

Bonnie Brody: I'm not sure how this wonderful children's book got on my radar but I'm so thankful that it got my attention. While I don't have a little one to give it to right now, I have four grown grandchildren and I am acquiring a hope chest for my great grandchildren. And what is more important than a good book!

This children's book is really timeless and ageless. Both my husband and I loved it. Ideally, however, it is for younger children. Like the classic, 'Where the Wild Things Are', this is a book with few words. Most of the story is told through the lovely illustrations that draw the reader in. The artwork is fantastical and interesting throughout.

A young boy, apparently raised in the United States, is visiting his aged Vietnamese grandfather. The boy doesn't appear happy to be visiting. The boy speaks no Vietnamese and the grandfather speaks no English. Their tastes in television are widely disparate. It is through drawing and art that they find their love and connection. With a brush and their adventurous spirits, "All the things we could never say come pouring out and we build a new world that even words can't describe". This shared love of drawing changes the dynamic...

United States on Nov 14, 2018

atoshchak: Not much to attract and interest an Indian child.

India on Jul 29, 2018