PreS-Gr 2—A young boy dreads going to his grandfather’s house, knowing that despite his grandfather’s efforts, they simply can’t communicate through their language barrier. Giving up on trying, the boy brings out a drawing of a superhero, and to his surprise his grandfather brings out his own sketchbook. They begin drawing stories together, melding their characters and art styles to tell a fierce fantastical story, where suddenly they “see each other for the first time.” Through lively, detailed illustrations, we watch them bridge intergenerational distance and fight the fear-inducing “difference” that once kept them apart. Illustrated through distinct art styles, the boy’s is colorful and scribbly while the grandfather’s is detailed and colorless, that begin to adapt and meld together as they come to understand each other. Layered and dynamic images artfully show their new shared appreciation and understanding of one another just as much as the words as the styles intertwine, including traditional Thai elements. In the end, the pair (and the reader) are filled with joy in their new state of connectedness. Achingly sweet and moving, DRAWN TOGETHER will appeal widely, especially anyone who has experienced a similar divide in their own lives. This book belongs in every collection.
