Drawn Together

by Minh Lê

Other authorsDan Santat (Illustrator), Dan Santat (Cover Art)
Hardcover, 2018

Status

Available

Publication

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2018), Edition: Illustrated, 40 pages

Library's review

"The power of art takes center stage in this cleverly titled story of a Thai-speaking grandfather connecting to his assimilated American grandson.

The title page introduces readers to a sullen-faced Asian boy as he walks up to a door and rings the bell. After a traditional bow of greeting, the
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grandfather, dressed like Mr. Rogers in a white shirt and red sweater, wordlessly welcomes the grandson inside. In paneled artwork, the two unsuccessfully attempt conversation over dinner, with the grandfather speaking in Thai script and the boy speaking in English. Sitting in the uncomfortable silence that cultural divides create, the awkward boy finally walks away to doodle on paper. He draws a wizard with a wand and a conical red hat. Grandpa, recognizing this creative outlet, fetches a sketchbook and, surprisingly, draws his version of a wizard: a tightly detailed warrior clothed in traditional Thai ceremonial dress. The young boy is amazed, marveling that “we see each other for the first time.” The two begin a battle of imagination, wands and paintbrushes thrashing like swords. One draws in energetic colorful cartoons, the other with fierce black-and-white, precisely brushed drawings. Santat elevates their newfound shared passion into energetic, layered, and complex designs, separate and entwined at the same time. They clash with the dragon that divides them and build a new world together “that even words can’t describe.”

Lê’s compelling storyline is propelled forward by Santat’s illustrations, each capturing both the universal longing to connect and the joy of sharing the creative process. (Picture book. 4-8)" www.kirkusreviews.com, A Kirkus Starred Review
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Awards

Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — Picturebook — 2021)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Picture Books — 2018)
Monarch Award (Nominee — 2021)
Red Clover Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Grades K-2 — 2019)
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (Winner — Picture Book — 2019)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Picture Books — 2020)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Primary — 2021)
Three Stars Book Award (Nominee — Young Readers — 2020)
Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award (Honor Book — 2019)
Charlotte Huck Award (Recommended Book — 2019)
Iowa Goldfinch Award (Nominee — 2021)
Great Reads from Great Places (Maryland — 2018)
Notable Children's Book (Younger Readers — 2019)

Language

Original language

English

ISBN

1484767608 / 9781484767603

Barcode

1275
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